Shoddy pre-monsoon work irks residents of Old Thane

The nullah-cleaning work in Old Thane has not done any good to the shopkeepers and residents as water has entered shops and homes of some people. Rain water, mixed with untreated sewerage water from the entire area, has bothered people as they fear outbreak of dengue, malaria and typhoid.

Traders, shopkeepers and residents from Mohammad Ali Road allege that the nullah-cleaning work has not been done properly in Old Thane, leading to waterlogging in various areas. They said that the cleaning work is an eyewash. "None of the drains have been cleaned and this shows the shoddy job done by the contractor," said a resident.

"Old Thane houses police school, Urdu school, NKT college and a huge vegetable market from where vegetables are supplied to the entire city. Waterlogging at this place might affect the quality of vegetables as they might be laced with polluted water," said another resident.

"The students attending schools and colleges in the area have to wade through the polluted water and this can cause them several skin diseases," added the resident.

Activist Rajeev Datta, who had earlier taken up the issue of untreated sewerage water in the area, allege, "The Thane Municipal Corporation is aware of the problem in the area. In fact the health inspector has certified in a copy submitted to the civic body that untreated sewerage water should not be released in nullahs and action should be taken. But till now, the civic body has not taken cognizance of the issue."

While residents fear outbreak of deadly diseases, they have also intimated the disaster control department about the issue and requested them to take necessary measures to relieve them from this situation.

A trader from the area said, "We will wait for the corporation's assistance, failing which a group of 60 to 70 traders will got to their office, meet the commissioner and ask him to take necessary measures."

Civic chief Sanjeev Jaiswal said, "I will direct the concerned department to look into the issue."