Garbage burning irks Marine Drive residents

Residents living in the proximity of Marine Drive are known to enjoy fresh air. But recently, a few of them have been complaining about the stench they get the moment they open the window.

For the past one week, every morning some people burn garbage sending unbearable stench for the residents who live there. Most of it is plastic and rubber which burns for two to three hours on a daily basis. Burning garbage is an offence as per BMC cleanliness laws.

“You cannot open the window. Every morning they do the same thing. The burning happens for long hours,” said Anand Shah of Badri Keshwar building, which is nearest to the track and close to Hindi Vidya Bhavan which is most affected.

Another resident, Nikhil Banker, living at Patan Jain Mandal building said, “They have kept a permanent tray where they do this burning. The contractors appointed by the railway collect it and burn everyday. Last time I caught them but nothing much changed even after the complaints. Since our road is on the border of two wards, we are tossed like a ball.”

Ashish Shah, another resident of Badri Keshwar building said, “These guys have made a permanent dump place there. They sort out the garbage and whatever is not useful burn it over there instead of throwing it in a dustbin. We have even shown the RPF guys where the garbage is burnt. They stopped burning for a week but they are back. Sometimes the engineering staff of the railways burn the discarded stuff. How many times do we keep complaining?”

When contacted, Sharat Chandrayan, chief spokesperson of the Western Railway said, “I do not know of any burning happening. We have not received any complain either. Once we do, we will take action.”

The deputy municipal commissioner was not available for comment.