Repeated fires at Diva dumping ground raise health fears; Sena (UBT) leader seeks TMC action

Repeated fires in the garbage at the dumping ground in Diva have turned the question of residents' health serious. Smoke from the burning waste is reaching residential areas, and people are having to bear the stench and foul air.

Adv. Rohidas Munde, deputy district chief of the Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) party, has demanded that the Thane Municipal Corporation put out the fire immediately and make a permanent arrangement to deal with it.

It is alleged that the Thane Municipal Corporation has been dumping garbage in the area on a large scale for several years. The accumulated waste catches fire repeatedly, spreading heavy smoke across the area. Plumes of smoke are drifting into residential settlements in Diva town.

The smoke from the garbage can be harmful to health. Children, the elderly, women and people with asthma or respiratory illness are feared to be affected more. Fears have been voiced of problems such as irritation in the eyes, cough, difficulty in breathing and breathlessness. This has caused concern among the people of Diva.

It is alleged that the issue of waste management in Diva has been stuck for several years. As the town's population and settlements grew, firm measures should have been taken for proper disposal of waste. But garbage keeps piling up at the dumping ground, and repeated fires in it are making matters worse.

The question being raised is what steps the Thane Municipal Corporation has taken so far to find a permanent solution. There is also criticism that talk of the city's development continues while the people of Diva have to contend with foul air and health risks.

Munde demanded that the corporation take immediate note of the grave situation. He wants the dumping ground fire extinguished completely and a permanent system put in place so that it does not flare up again. He has also demanded an immediate check of the area's air quality.

He further said a medical survey should be conducted to assess the possible effect of the pollution on people's health. He also said responsibility should be fixed on the concerned officials of the department concerned and action taken against those found at fault.

Munde said it was not that the people of Diva do not want development, but in the name of development they should not be forced to live breathing toxic smoke. According to him, the Thane Municipal Corporation should take this health issue seriously and take firm steps at once. He warned that if this was not done, an intense agitation would be launched on the issue of people's health.

People are now watching how seriously the Thane Municipal Corporation takes the matter, and what steps it takes to give Diva residents relief from the dumping ground smoke.