Business was as usual at the gold units situated in the densely populated C ward, which includes Bhuleshwar, Chira Bazar, Mumbadevi, Kalbadevi-Zaveri Bazaar and Marine Lines on Tuesday. Most of the units were unaware of the Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis' directive to the BrihanMumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to shift them out after local residents complained about the toxic fumes emitting from the units, affecting their health.
As per BMC record, there are 2,500 to 3,000 units of tiny gold jewellery units situated in the area, which have employed about 30 to 50,000 workers mostly from the West Bengal. However, the Bhuleshwar Residents Association (BRA) counters BMC's record saying that there are close to 40,000 such illegal units employing around three lakh people.
BRA's senior member Harkishan Goradia, who took up the matter with CM on Monday, told DNA,'' The entire C ward is sitting on a bomb. These units are operating illegally and without any license. Despite major fire accidents took place in 2001 and 2015 to mention a few, these units are functioning unabated. Fire tenders cannot reach in the buildings which are mostly situated in lanes and bylanes. Hence, we sought CM's intervention for the immediate shifting of these units.'' He informed that Fadnavis has directed BMC to close down 2,022 chimneys which are emitting toxic fumes and thereafter a decision to shift them to an alternative place will be done.
He said that the BMC, in the last three months, has removed some 20-odd chimneys while others are still operating. He reminded that these units are functioning in the residential and not industrial zone.
Employees at these units said it was business as usual. Most of them declined to comment saying that their owner was away. According to 25-year-old Promit Ray, "We are here to earn our livelihood. We do not know our fate if the unit is closed or shifted elsewhere.''
Another BRA member Vijay Petiwala alleged owner, politician, BMC and Maharashtra Pollution control board nexus. ''BRA's petition filed in 2001 has been pending for a final order from the Bombay high court. These units should be removed immediately. Until they are shifted, they should not keep gas cylinders, acids, and wax which are highly inflammable. They should use premises only for the purpose of preparing gold ornaments by hand-made process ,'' he said.
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