The fire at Mumbai's Deonar dumping ground has still not been doused.
Mumbai has been choked by yet another fire at the Deonar dumping ground, that has pushed the pollution level in the city to over 100 under PM 2.5. In Deonar, the figures are much higher. Now, the Central Government is taking note and promising action.
"The smoke is emitting toxic gases which is serious. This is sheer carelessness on the part of contractors. Whoever is responsible will not be spared," said Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar.
The civic body, Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), has registered a police complaint or FIR suspecting sabotage, but did they take enough preventive steps? They claim 50 security guards have been positioned but it's impossible to man a 132 acre dump yard day and night, with hardly any walls. Moreover, what use are 12 CCTV cameras installed there if they cannot operate efficiently at night?
"We have not been sitting quiet. We will install CCTV with night vision and also Deonar dump yard will be declared a prohibited area," said BMC Commissioner Ajoy Mehta.
The Shiv Sena, which heads the civic body, has alleged that it's a conspiracy against the party. "With civic elections around the corner, this is an attempt to defame Shiv Sena," said State Environment Minister Ramdas Kadam.
The opposing Samajwadi Party leader Abu Azmi hit out at the Devendra Fadnavis government, accusing them of being passive about the entire issue.
Environmentalists believe that the civic body, along with the government, must come up with long-term solutions. "The BMC must drill land pipes and ensure methane gas is released to avoid fires. Drastic situation requires drastic actions. Officials need to be prosecuted," said Stalin Dayanand, environmentalist and founder of the NGO Vanashakti.