Garbage raises stink in Mira Road

Finally, Locals Protest Against Civic Apathy

Mumbai: Garbage has started raising a stink once again in Mira Road and Bhayander with residents fearing the spread of diseases due to the piling of waste on the streets over the past couple of days.
    On Monday, residents of various localities in the region took to the streets to protest against the growing menace of piled-up garbage. Not to be left behind, the Shiv Sena too took out a morcha to the Mira-Bhayander Municipal Corporation (MBMC) headquarters in Bhayander (W).
    The issue of garbage disposal began in September last year when the Utan dumping plant was shut down following protest by the villagers. Contractors hired by the civic administration to dispose the 350 tonnes of garbage generated in the region daily began dumping the wastes at mangrove sites in Kanakia Nagar and Ghodbunder Road.
    The matter was brought to the notice of the police by environmentalists who booked over 100 people in connection with destroying mangroves. This included the brother of MBMC mayor Narendra Mehta. The Bombay high court also came down heavily on the civic administration for causing destruction to mangroves. Civic officials have, in the past, been accused of conniving with property developers to destroy mangroves.
    Over the past few days, the MBMC has once again washed its hands of disposing garbage citing non-availability of space. The high court had earlier directed the civic administration to restart the plant with help from the police. The state government too had asked the MBMC to reopen the plant after taking necessary steps like planting additional trees and ensuring the water from plant did not flow into the nearby fields. But instead of finding ways to restart the plant, the civic administration has decided against lifting waste.
    On Monday, housewives of Shirdi Nagar in Bhayander East came on the streets to demand clearance of garbage. “Most of the children in this locality are suffering from malaria and jaundice,” said Manisha Narayan, a resident.
    Municipal commissioner Shivmurti Naik said the waste was being picked up on a war-footing.