Flames and thick smoke at Mumbai’s Deonar, 3 days after the fire

Mangalore Today News Network

Mumbai, Mar 22, 2016:  Three days after a fire broke out at Mumbai’s Deonar dumping ground, it has still not been doused. Civic body BMC has said it suspects sabotage behind the second large fire in the city’s biggest dumping ground in less than two months.

 

   

Officials had said on Monday evening that the fire was under control, but it flared again later in the night. Flames and thick smoke could be seen through the night and on Tuesday morning. 13 fire engines have been deployed at the massive dumping ground to put out the fire.
   
Near Deonar, the air is thick and toxic and visibility is down to about 50 to 100 metres from the top of buildings. Areas in Central Mumbai like Mulund, Shivaji Nagar and Chembur are the worst affected. 
   
About 200 residents of the area will today stage a protest at Mumbai’s Azad Maidan demanding concrete solutions to tackle the fire.
   
On Monday, an First Information Report or FIR on suspected sabotage was registered by the BMC. "Prima facie it looks like an act of sabotage and the municipal corporation has filed a case with the police against unknown person," Municipal Commissioner Ajoy Mehta said.
   
The Centre has stepped in promising action. "The smoke is emitting toxic gases which are serious.  This is sheer carelessness on the part of contractors. Whoever is responsible will not be spared," said Union Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar.
   
The Shiv Sena, which heads the civic body has alleged a conspiracy. "With civic elections around the corner, this is an attempt to defame the Shiv Sena," said State Environment Minister Ramdas Kadam.
   
"Our children can’t breathe. My son’s respiratory problems have worsened in the last two months," a resident of the area told NDTV. "Smoke enters our houses. It gets extremely difficult to breathe or eat. Promises are made when ministers visit, but then no action is taken," added another.
   
A massive fire that had broken out at the dumping yard, spread across 326 acres, on January 27 could be brought under control only after seven days of round-the-clock fire-fighting.
   
The BMC has said 12 CCTV cameras have been installed at the dumpyard and 20 more will be installed to prevent sabotage. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has promised a report soon. 
   
But environmentalists and experts say the government must come up with long-term solutions like an effective waste management policy. "The BMC must drill land pipes and ensure methane gas is released to avoid fires...Officials need to be prosecuted’ said Stalin Dayanand, environmentalist and founder of the NGO Vanashakti.