In the wake of the jubilant celebrations marking India's T20 World Cup victory, Mumbai's iconic Marine Drive was left strewn with heaps of garbage, including water bottles and footwear, which the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) subsequently cleared using seven vehicles.
On Thursday evening, thousands of fervent cricket fans descended upon Marine Drive to witness the victory parade of the Indian cricket team.
The procession, which began at the National Centre for Performing Arts (NCPA) in Nariman Point at around 7.30 pm, crawled its way to Wankhede Stadium, a journey that ordinarily takes a mere five minutes but stretched to over an hour and a half due to the overwhelming turnout.
The aftermath of this massive gathering was evident as piles of trash were left in its wake.
Water bottles and footwear were scattered along the route, from Nariman Point to Wankhede Stadium, where the victory parade took place.
The BMC reported that in addition to a significant number of food wrappers and water bottles, an extensive collection of shoes and chappals (slippers) was amassed during the cleanup operation.
The civic body utilised five jeeps to collect the shoes and chappals, while two dumpers were employed to gather the remaining garbage.
Instead of consigning this waste to dumping grounds, the BMC announced that all collected items would be sent to recycling plants, highlighting the city's commitment to sustainable waste management practices.
The extensive cleanup drive commenced at 11.30 pm on Thursday night and concluded at 8 am on Friday morning.
Over one hundred staff members from the civic solid waste management department, alongside workers from various NGOs, participated in the operation, ensuring that the Marine Drive promenade was restored to its pristine condition.
This effort was particularly crucial as numerous people utilise the promenade for morning walks and exercise routines.
During the victory parade, a substantial police presence was maintained to ensure safety and order.
The authorities deployed a large number of personnel along the route, from Marine Drive to Wankhede Stadium, to prevent any untoward incidents.
Despite these measures, at least 11 individuals were transported to hospitals, having sustained minor injuries or experiencing dizziness due to the dense crowds.
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