The fire in Mumbai's Dumping ground has spewed toxic smoke in the air for days. (Reuters photo)
Nine scrap dealers have been arrested by the police in connection with the fires that broke out at the Deonar dumping ground on two occasions - once on January 27 and again on March 20 this year.
An inquiry by the police has found that the nine scrap dealers, with warehouses right next to the dumping ground were responsible for the fires.
"After thorough inquiry, the investigating officer concluded that locals who own scrap business there are involved in this. He has recorded many statements, studied them and then reached this conclusion. We have arrested nine people," said senior police officer Sangramsingh Nishandar.
The accused have been charged with negligence and causing damage to public property among other charges.
In both instances when the fire broke out at the Deonar dumping ground, the fire brigade took over a week to douse the blaze. As a result of which residents living across Central Mumbai were left choking after breathing in thick plumes of smoke. In February, municipal schools around the dumping yard were closed for days due to the air pollution.
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had ordered an inquiry into what caused the fire. Union Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar had sent a two-member committee in March to probe the matter and submit a report. Acting on the findings, the Environment Ministry ordered the Mumbai municipal body to build an integrated waste management system in Deonar and shut down the dumping ground at Mulund.
Earlier this week, Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi visited the Deonar dumping ground. Hitting out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Mr Gandhi said, "The PM talks of 'Swachh Bharat' but look at this. Talking about 'Swachh Bharat' and acting on it are two different things. It is sad that there is no strategy to clear this dump in a city like Mumbai."