The BMC has been given a “last chance” by the Bombay HC to take measures to reduce air pollution caused by fumes emanating from the Deonar dumping ground.
The BMC has been given a “last chance” by the Bombay High Court to take measures to reduce air pollution caused by fumes emanating from the Deonar dumping ground.
The HC on Friday warned BMC that it would face contempt proceedings if steps were not taken to reduce carcinogenic gases like methane, carbon dioxide, hydrogen sulphide, formaldehyde and fine particulate matter emanating from the dumping ground and causing respiratory diseases among residents. The HC was hearing a contempt petition filed by the Smoke Affected Residents Forum (SARF) against the BMC for non-implementation of its earlier promise to the court to reduce air-pollution in the area. The matter will be heard in June.
According to SARF, around 25 lakh people living in Mankhurd, Chembur, Deonar, Ghatkopar, Vikhroli and even Navi Mumbai are affected by the pollution from the Deonar ground. Residents have given the court a recent study by the National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI), which found a huge amount of respirable particulate matter and the carcinogenic gas formaldehyde in the air around the 82-year-old dump. The fumes are spread through smoke emanating from fires on the dumping ground.
BMC commissioner Jairaj Phatak, who visited the dumping ground earlier this week, has filed a report in court stating that security guards posted at the dump will be increased from 25 to 45.
Petitioner’s lawyer Minoo Siodia pointed out that during a recent visit, residents found no guards on duty at night. The guards are supposed to stop rag-pickers from entering the ground and lighting fires.
The BMC has also offered water sprinklers to reduce dispersion of smoke.
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