Mumbai Port Authority has declared its Jawahar Dweep Marine Oil Terminal as plastic-free, marking it as India's first plastic-free oil terminal. This milestone was announced during the Swachhata Abhiyan 2026 cleanliness program held at Grey Gate, Indira Dock, Mumbai on October 2, 2026, coinciding with Mahatma Gandhi's birth anniversary.
Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal led the event, which was attended by Mumbai Port Authority Chairperson Dr. M. Angamuthu and Deputy Chairman Ravish Kumar Singh along with other officials. The program included traditional ceremonies such as lamp lighting and floral tributes to Gandhi, followed by the administration of the Swachhata Pledge.
During the event, Minister Sonowal dedicated the port's Oil Spill Response (OSR) facilities to the nation and personally felicitated the port's Safai Karmis (sanitation workers) for their contributions to maintaining cleanliness. The minister engaged directly with the sanitation workers to understand their experiences and hosted a tea reception in their honor. A short film showcasing the port's Swachh Bharat initiatives over the past year was screened during the program.
The declaration represents a significant step in Mumbai Port's broader initiative to eliminate single-use plastics across all its operations. The authority has committed to expanding similar plastic reduction efforts throughout its docks, residential colonies, and coastal areas in the ongoing year. The event concluded with a hands-on cleanliness drive led by Minister Sonowal across multiple port locations, including the area south of 18ID, the newly dedicated OSR facilities, a sea-cleaning activity, the wharf at BPX North Area, and a mooring staff toilet facility.
Chairperson Angamuthu emphasized that the Swachhata Abhiyan provided an opportunity to recognize the daily contributions of the port's sanitation workforce while reaffirming the authority's commitment to sustainable and responsible operations alongside continued operational growth. The port authority reiterated its commitment to furthering the Swachh Bharat vision with sustainability and employee welfare integrated into its everyday functioning.