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Mumbai civic body wants to construct 11 watch towers to prevent fires in Deonar dumpsite
Some of the other measures planned by the civic body included installation of 40 night vision cameras and 12 CCTV cameras to monitor movement inside the ground.
Eight months after announcing that security at Deonar dumpsite — the largest dumping ground in the city — would be increased, the civic body has tabled a proposal in standing committee to construct 11 watch towers to monitor movement inside the ground.
After repeated incidents of fire breaking out at the dumpyard, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) announced a slew of measures to increase security in the area and prevent further blazes. Some of the measures included constructing compound walls to avoid miscreants from entering the dumpsite, repairing and concretisation of internal roads.
The BMC has now tabled the proposal to construct 11 watch towers worth Rs1.08 crores within six months.
Some of the other measures planned by the civic body included installation of 40 night vision cameras and 12 CCTV cameras to monitor movement inside the ground.
Of all the measures announced, BMC has made progress only with constructing the compound walls. The proposal to construct internal roads was approved by standing committee members, but the work is yet to begin.
However, even after inviting tender for the second time, the BMC did not receive any response from contractors for installation of CCTV cameras.
Fire had broken out at the dumpsite twice after the monsoon. Following the fire incidents, the BMC had planned to only allow rag-pickers with photo identity cards to enter the dumpsite but the plan has now been cancelled fearing sabotage.
The civic body had also wanted to declare Deonar dump yard as a ‘prohibited area’ in March. However, it is yet to receive a reply from the state government on the matter.
