NGO demands closure of Kanjurmarg dumping site

Citing unhygienic disposal of waste as the reason, Vanashakti, a non-government organisation, on Monday, filed a public interest litigation demanding the closure of the Kanjurmarg dumping ground. Nikhil Ghanekar reports.

Citing unhygienic disposal of waste as the reason, Vanashakti, a non-government organisation, on Monday, filed a public interest litigation demanding the closure of the Kanjurmarg dumping ground.

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Disposing of waste on the landfill site is in direct violation of the coastal regulation zone notification of 2011 and the Municipal Solid Waste rules, 2000, the petition states.

The site became operational in March. Initially, it would receive 500 metric tonnes of solid waste daily. But, now it receives 1,500-2,000 metric tonnes of waste on a daily basis . The unscientific waste disposal and lack of composting and leachate collection facility, also mentioned by the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) in an inspection report in May, is polluting the adjacent coastal eco-system in Thane creek and causing inconvenience to the residents, the petition stated.

"The BMC has failed to dispose of waste scientifically and is destroying the wetland ecology in and around the landfill site. Claiming the bioreactor landfill system is being used at the site, they have not even installed a leachate system to avoid ground water pollution," said Stalin D, projects director, Vanashakti.

Residents of the area have also complained of foul smell from the dump. According to MPCB officials, despite being issued a show-cause notice for non-compliance of MSW rules earlier, the civic body is still not complying with the basic conditions laid down in the authorisation granted to the Kanjurmarg landfill site.