Leaving the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) officials red-faced, residents of Sion on Sunday cleared a majority of the debris lying for more than a year at a spot where the water department had repaired a major pipeline burst. The embarrassed civic officials later cleared the leftover debris.

Peeved with the BMC’s irresponsible attitude, members of Sion ALM did what was actually the corporation’s responsibility. The residents had been taking up the issue with various civic departments for more than a year.

Debris under the Sion flyover constructed by the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) had become an eyesore for people living in the area. When the residents approached the local BMC office of F-north ward, civic officials are said to have told them that clearing the debris was MMRDA’s responsibility.

Residents then approached the MMRDA. However, MMRDA officials said the area was cleared by them before the flyover was opened.

Civic activist and member of AGNI (F-north ward) Nikhil Desai said, “Once again, I approached the ward office and conveyed MMRDA’s answer. This time, I was told that the debris was left by the contractor appointed by the water department for the main water pipeline passing under the flyover. When we approached the water department, officials there shrugged off the responsibility.”

Desai later went to the solid waste management department but officials there said the area under the flyover was not in their jurisdiction. An appeal to the deputy municipal commissioner was made but, even after six months, nothing was done.

Hence, ALM members finally told assistant municipal commissioner Narendra Barde at an ALM meeting in August that if the BMC can’t do its duty, the residents will shoulder its responsibility. “Barde assured me that he would get the job done. Unfortunately, nothing was done except sweeping the area around the debris,” said Desai.

Assistant civic commissioner Alka Sasane, who took charge last month, was unavailable for comment, while Barde couldn’t be reached.

Nilesh Kanakia, of NGO Young India Action Forum, gave the money for engaging labourers who, along with the residents, cleared the debris by Sunday. Kanakia said that even after paying taxes, if residents themselves have to keep roads clean, BMC has no right to collect taxes.