BMC starts removal of chimneys from Kalbadevi gold units

After much uproar and a diktat from Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, the BMC has launched a drive to remove illegal chimneys installed by gold units in the crowded Kalbadevi and Mumbadevi areas of south Mumbai. Of the 750 chimneys, 50 have been removed so far by BMC’s buildings and factories department. About five such chimneys are removed on a daily basis and the department hopes to remove all by end of March.

BMC had to swing into action after Kalbadevi resident Harkishan Gordia on January 8 complained to Fadnavis regarding toxic fumes emitted from the gold units affecting their health. Gordia and other residents also complained of health hazards and violation of fire safety. Fadnavis directed BMC to remove those chimneys on a priority basis.

A BMC officer told DNA,’’ The department of buildings  and factories will soon float a tender for appointment of a contractor for removal of all chimneys by end of March. Till then, department personnel have been visiting the area and removing chimneys.’’ He informed that the present drive is conducted under the provision of Mumbai Municipal Corporation Act.

Gordia said following the directions given by Fadnavis, the civic body had initiated demolition of illegal chimneys. “BMC pesonnel are removing two to five such chimneys daily. However, the gold unit operators have restored most of them and residents are still facing the pollution problem. BMC will have to start action under the provision of Maharashtra Regional Town Planning Act, 1966 so that the gold unit operators won’t be in a position to install them again and continue operations,’’ he noted.

The officer, however, said the department of buildings and factories was not aware of reinstating of chimneys by gold units. ‘’The job of department of buildings and factories is to remove those chimneys so that pollution is curbed and the demolition of gold units operating illegally does not come in its jurisdiction,’’ he added.