DNA: Residents gasping for breath in Ghatkopar: January 16, 2009

 

While the civic body awaits a Standing Committee clearance on the Deonar dumping ground makeover proposal, the environmental issues related to the ground have increased manifold. Many residents of the area have spent large amounts of money on purchasing equipment to relieve themselves from the smoke that emanates from the dumping ground.

 

Ramesh Iyer, a resident of Sudha Park in Ghatkopar (E), purchased a nebuliser and a bi-pap machine costing Rs1 lakh for his aged mother. “My mother was advised to use the nebuliser every morning and night to regulate her breathing. She’s a bronchial patient and her cough aggravates due to the smoke from the dumping ground,” said Iyer.

Haresh Parekh, another resident of the area, said, “I have purchased a nebuliser for my cough and cold.”

There are many other residents like Iyer and Parekh at Sudha Park who have recently purchased nebulisers for their family members.

Dr CG Shivaram, general physician of the area who lives in Sudha Park, has been receiving an average of 2 cases of asthma in Ghatkopar (E).

Hundreds of Ghatkopar (E) residents approached the BMC solid waste management office on Thursday, demanding immediate relief from the smoke emanating for 10 days.

Bhalchandra Shirsat, BJP leader and member of the Standing Committee, said that when municipal commissioner Jairaj Phatak and additional municipal commissioner RA Rajeev were apprised of the problem in Deonar dumping ground, they refused to acknowledge it.

“Lack of security at the ground allows the entry of ragpickers. There are only a few high lamp masts to illuminate the premises of the dumping ground. Some civic officials informed that there were no water tankers to douse the fires,” said Shankar Iyer, another resident.

Ahmed Karim, chief engineer, solid waste management, said, “Deployment of 15 water tankers to extinguish fires at Deonar will give some positive results. We will also increase the number of halogen lights to prevent entry of ragpickers to the ground.”

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