Minister Ramdas Kadam further said the government intends to shift the Deonar dumping ground nearby Taloja in Raigad. (File photo)
Maharashtra Environment Minister and senior Shiv Sena leader Ramdas Kadam today said it is suspected that the fire at Deonar dumping ground in suburban Mumbai was deliberately started to defame the party.
"We strongly suspect that the fire at Deonar dumping ground was started to defame Shiv Sena," Mr Kadam said.
Replying to supplementary queries raised on starred question moved by Dipti Chaudhari (Congress) and others, he said he has instructed Mumbai Police Commissioner to probe as to how the fire broke out after UPL company's contract (to handle waste management, partial closure and land filling at the dumping ground) got over.
"The Mumbai CP has been asked to deploy more officials, trace and arrest those behind it. Once the culprits are arrested, it will come to light as to who is behind starting these fires," he said.
The minister further said the government intends to shift the Deonar dumping ground nearby Taloja in Raigad. The garbage from Mumbai will be taken to Taloja for processing.
"In future, the government intends not to have any garbage dumps in the state," he said.
Earlier, replying to supplementary queries on pollution levels in Mumbai, Mr Kadam informed the House that it was not caused by vehicular pollution alone. "There are other causes like construction activities, debris dumping, stone crushers and garbage dumps," he said.
Mr Kadam said the government has asked IIT and NEERI to study pollution levels in 10 cities having more than 10 lakh population.
"The budget allocation per city is Rs 75 lakh and overall budgetary allocation of Rs 5.75 crore. The two bodies have been given three to nine months to complete their study. Based on the report the government will take policy decision," he said.