Slamming the lackadaisical attitude that the authorities showed in tackling the Deonar fire, environmentalists have demanded that a criminal case be filed against all civic officials in charge of the dumping ground along with the chief minister and environment minister for putting people at risk.

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NGO Vanashakti's director of projects Stalin D said it is surprising that the CM is waking up to talk about the issue now, after so many days. "People have been suffering and breathing in toxic fumes; it's strange that the fire can't be managed."

He added that environmentalists had been demanding a closure of dumping grounds and warning of such a situation rising but no one bothered during that time. Now that there's been a fire, everyone has woken up, Stalin said.

Naturalist Anand Pendharkar said garbage management was something the BMC has completely failed at. "So many things are being discussed about the dump, including why no effort is being made to ensure that the garbage is managed and also that there is no need to take it to the dumping ground in the first place."

He, however, added that those complaining about how this garbage burning is affecting their health should also understand that it's their own waste and that they should have segregated it.

Environmentalist Rishi Aggarwal said the authorities' response was shameful. "Should they be taking three days to react to a fire raging in a dumping ground? This itself shows their concern towards the health and well being of Mumbai."

Aggarwal added that the only reason the CM or the civic body is taking this so seriously is because now the smoke is spreading all across and a larger population is getting affected. "There have been several fires before and people living in the vicinity have suffered, yet nothing has been done about the dumping ground's closure," he said.

He said people from across the city should file multiple police complaints, naming the authorities for putting their lives at risk.

An official from IMD Mumbai said the smoke was playing a crucial role in the smog-like situation existing in the city. "Being winter, the smoke and biomass burning is resulting in the haze seen over the region," he added.Air quality statusBorivli: PM10 – 183 (Moderate)PM2.5 – 303 (Very poor)CO – 59 (good)Andheri: PM10 – 182 (Moderate)PM2.5 – 338 (Very Poor)CO – 59 (Good)Bhandup: PM10 – 150 (Moderate)PM2.5 – 297 (Poor)CO – 382 (Very poor)Chembur: PM10 – 217 (poor)PM2.5 – 342 (Very poor)CO – 59 (Good)Navi Mumbai: PM10 – 176 (Moderate)PM2.5 – 339 (Very poor)CO – 59 (Good)Mazgaon: PM10 – 155 (Moderate)PM2.5 – 322 (Very poor)CO – 59 (Good)