MUMBAI, March 9 -- The Standing Committee of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) on Friday approved a contract for cleaning operations at the Waringpada stretch of Chimbai beach in Bandra. The civic body awarded the contract to M/s MTS Blue Roadlines for Rs.10 million to undertake beach cleaning for a period of 730 days. The work covers the Waringpada section of Chimbai beach, a stretch measuring approximately 1.5 km in length and 25 metres in width, with a daily expenditure of a nearly Rs.13,000. Chimbai beach, which forms part of Mumbai's seven major beaches, was once regarded as one of the city's most polluted stretches. However, local residents say conditions have improved significantly over the years. "The beach is far better maintained now," said Thelma Poojari of the Chimbai Residents Association, a fourth-generation member of the village's fishing community. She, however, pointed out that cleaning contracts are usually awarded only for the non-monsoon months. "The real problem occurs during the monsoon when the sea washes back large amounts of waste onto the shore. That is when the beach is most littered," she said. According to the civic budget proposal, labourers, 240-liter wheeled bins, excavator-cum-loader machines, and dumper vehicles will collect waste accumulated on beaches-including silt, soil, debris, and mixed garbage. Poojari also raised concerns about the use of heavy machinery during clean-up operations. "Often, JCB machines are used to scoop up garbage along with large amounts of sand. Workers must ensure only the waste is removed, " she said. During the discussion, several standing committee members stressed that the BMC should ensure proper supervision of the cleaning work and not merely sanction contracts....