Awaaz Foundation writes to Aaditya Thackeray demanding improvement in the waste disposal system across Maharashtra

The city of Mumbai is facing several environmental concerns and several NGOs are focused towards resolving the same. With an aim to take a step closer, Mumbai's Awaaz Foundation, recently wrote to Maharashtra Environment Minister, Aaditya Thackeray, demanding solutions for some of the problems.

The letter sent to the minister mentioned problems related to waste disposal system in Mumbai and the rest of the state, incidents of burning of waste which occur at many places due to ineffective functioning, problems related to plastic and biomedical waste, and the amount of pollution these result in. Pointing out the same, the NGO demanded that the state drafts necessary solutions at the earliest. 

Since 2016, Awaaz Foundation has recorded incidents of incineration at Panvel, Dharamtar, Poynad, Chondi, Mumbai-Alibaug roads, etc. Further, the authorities have also mentioned problems related to the waste disposal centres in Alibaug city and at some places in Bhiwandi, Kalher and Thane districts.

As per reports, piles of rubbish are dumped on the expressways, along the roads, due to non-availability of proper waste disposal system. Adding more, the founder of Awaaz, Sumaira Abdulali, has stated that the same need to be disposed of properly and the responsibility needs to be taken by the concerned local bodies.

Data reveals that the level of PM 2.5 had risen for several kilometres due to the garbage burnt at Bhiwandi. The registration was done at 1 minute, 5 minute and 15-minute intervals. These observations were recorded between January and December 2020. A minute after registration of garbage in Bhiwandi, the level rose to 612 - 182 at Panvel Naka and 181 at Dharamtar.

According to the Indian Council of Medical Research, 1.4 lakh deaths in the state are registered due to pollution. Maharashtra ranks second in the country in the number of deaths due to this reason. Besides this, understanding the air quality index (AQI) alone will not help in improving the air quality.

To ensure the same, it is necessary for the authorities to find out the cause of this pollution at the local level and find a remedy for the same, for which necessary steps should be taken beginning with the preparation of an action plan with the help of local self-governing bodies, stated the letter.