12.7 million tonnes of methane gas at Deonar dump yard

The Indian Institute of Technology - Bombay (IIT-B) has given a report to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) saying that there is a huge volume of methane gas – to the tune of 12.7 million tonnes – buried under the city's garbage dumped at Deonar dumping ground.

The volatile and highly inflammable gas causes frequent fire at the dumping ground, emanating toxic fumes.

"The report recommended to the civic body to dig a well to accumulate the gas within," said Ajoi Mehta, civic commissioner on Thursday.

Opposition leader Devendra Amberkar had accused the civic body for failing in controlling the fire at the dumping yard even after a week. The smoke had engulfed the entire city in the last one week, among the worst affected areas being the eastern suburbs.

The BMC had sought help from NEERI and IIT-Bombay to find a permanent solution to the recurring fire at the dump yard. The civic body is planning to construct retaining wall around the dump yard and install CCTV cameras. There are also plans to set up a permanent fire station there, on the lines of the Rapid Action Force.

Meanwhile, the opposition parties created ruckus in the council meet on Thursday, demanding early solution to the issue.