Scrap burning a health hazard for Mahim folk

The burning of scrap material on a routine basis in Mahim has become a health hazard for local residents as well as commuters.

However, the civic administration is yet to take action against the offence, which, according to residents and commuters, has been taking place for nearly five years now.

Scrap dealers have been burning the objectionable waste in the area alongside the Mahim railway overbridge leading to Dharavi, near the Mahim creek, much to the discomfort of locals. Surprised at how the authorities have been asleep on the issue for so long, A Das, a regular commuter, said, “Every day, the scrap dealers set afire obnoxious matter at night that continues to burn till morning, making it especially difficult to breathe around 6-7 am.”
While a scrap dealer not wishing to be named admitted that the burning of waste material at the site has been a practice for long “as it is our bread and butter”, residents are troubled over the fact that the waste includes toxic materials, including computer, TV and VCD parts. “In fact, the routine burning could put utility cables underneath the spot at risk,” added another resident Jafer Khan.
As for the action, the BMC has apprised the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board on the issue (MPCB). “We have written to the MPCB, asking them to take air samples so that appropriate action can be initiated against the offenders,” said Devendrakumar Jain, assistant commissioner of G-North ward.

Demanding that the civic body first put an immediate stop to the practice, a senior MPCB official said, “Though we will take the air samples, it is the BMC’s job to initiate action and submit its report to us.” When contacted, Dr JB Sangewar, regional officer of the MPCB, said he will look into the matter.