Garbage burning on Dombivli MIDC service road raises smoke and pipeline safety fears

Illegal dumping of waste along a service road in the residential area of Dombivli MIDC, and the burning of the piled-up garbage, are increasing. This has raised concerns about both public health and safety. Burning plastic, thermocol and rubber in the waste is releasing heavy smoke and adding to pollution in the area.

The biggest worry is that the high-pressure Mumbai-Manmad petroleum pipeline and Mahanagar Gas lines pass through the same area. A fire in the garbage could lead to a major accident, and concerned citizens are demanding that the administration act immediately.

It is said that some residents and businesspeople of the area throw their waste by the roadside instead of putting it in the Kalyan-Dombivli Municipal Corporation (KDMC) garbage vehicle. Dumping spots have formed at certain places. Once waste collects there, unidentified persons set it on fire, it is said. Smoke from burning plastic, thermocol and rubber spreads to the surroundings. Residents already live with industrial pollution, so their health is feared to be at risk. Senior citizens and young children are suffering the most.

Waste is being dumped on the service road opposite RM-23, near the senior citizens' association hall, opposite Shri Ganraj Banquet Hall and IDBI Bank. The stretch from Shri Rohideshwar Darshan Society (RH-85) to the DNS Bank Sonarpada main office is in the same state. Traffic on this road is continuous. It has been learnt that on vacant plots beneath the high-tension power lines, some people and businesspeople bring waste in vehicles and dump it. Some are also said to bring waste in autorickshaws and tempos and throw it there.

Vande Mataram Udyan and the Shailganga Milapnagar urban forest project are located on the same service road. Citizens point out that the surroundings of both are kept clean. Given the petroleum and gas pipelines, power lines, continuous traffic and the nearby residential settlement, this stretch has become sensitive. Citizens are therefore demanding that the administration immediately introduce measures such as a ban on dumping, regular cleaning, CCTV surveillance and action against offenders.

They also want KDMC sanitary inspectors and the staff concerned to take strict action against those who dump waste illegally and set it on fire. Footage from CCTV cameras on the roads of the high-pressure zone could help identify those responsible. Citizens also suggest that if MIDC, under its rules, allows various organisations to develop gardens and plant trees on the vacant land beneath the power lines, dumping could be curbed.