MUMBAI, August 11: The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) plans to launch a campaign against litterbugs of city beaches which are spoiled by ritual flowers and other pooja offerings dumped into the sea.Soon, Mangal Kalashs (urns) will be placed at various spots along the Shivaji Park beach. Offerings put in to these urns will be removed regularly and later used in vermicluture.

The civic administration will penalise those who violate the rules. The BMC will recover ``administrative charges'' for littering the beach, in the same way it penalises persons who litter roads and lanes. The kalash concept was first suggested by Mayor Vishakha Raut. They were scheduled to be launched on World Environment day on June 6. However, the programme was delayed due to ``unavoidable reasons.''

Later, the Mayor was keen on getting the kalashs inaugurated by Chief Minister Manohar Joshi on August 15, but her absence is likely to delay it again. Additional Municipal Commissioner Ratnakar Gaikwad told Express Newsline: ``The inauguration ceremony on August 15 will be difficult as the Mayor herself is abroad and is expected to return only on August 13. However, it will be any day after August 15.''

In the first phase, fibreglass urns designed by Subhash Dalvi, a BMC officer on special duty for the cleanliness drive, will be placed behind the Chaitya Bhoomi and other prominent spots along the beach. The copper-coloured ornamental urns will have Lord Ganesh in relief, with spouts to allow liquids to flow out. They will be placed on raised platforms with a small fenced garden. The BMC has also made adequate arrangements to ensure the urns are not misused. If the programme succeeds, similar urns will dot other beaches in the city.

Copyright © 1997 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.