An environmental study has been initiated by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to assess the condition of the Mulund dumping ground before deciding on its future development. The site, which was among Mumbai’s largest dumping grounds, has remained closed since December 2018 after years of waste accumulation.
It was indicated by officials that an external agency would be engaged to carry out the study. The scope of the investigation has been defined to include soil testing, groundwater sampling, air quality monitoring, and assessment of gas emissions. A detailed evaluation is to be performed across multiple parameters, including 39 tests for soil, 48 tests for groundwater, 15 indicators for air quality, and emission checks for gases such as methane and volatile organic compounds.
The initiative has been budgeted at Rs 3 lakh, and the duration of the study has been set at one month. Along with testing, the agency will also be required to provide manpower and machinery for transporting and handling field operations. The tender process was announced earlier this month, and final work orders are expected to be issued shortly.
The Mulund dumping ground, spread over 24 hectares, had functioned as Mumbai’s second-largest waste disposal site. It was revealed that approximately 70 lakh metric tonnes of waste, representing nearly 70 percent of the total legacy waste, have already been cleared from the site through bio-mining. More than 21 lakh tonnes are yet to be processed, with completion expected within the next year.
Multiple ideas for repurposing the cleared land have already been suggested. Local BJP MLA Mihir Kotecha proposed the creation of a golf course during discussions with Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis earlier this year, while MLC Milind Narvekar had recommended the establishment of a hospital on the site in January. However, no decision has been finalised so far.
A senior official explained that the purpose of the environmental assessment was to establish a roadmap for future development. It was stated that the study would provide a clear picture of the land’s suitability for different projects and also highlight activities that should be avoided. The report, to be prepared by an external consultant with technical expertise, is expected to be submitted within a month of the commencement of the study.
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