Shift biomedical waste plant out of Mumbai: Aaditya Thackeray

The residents of Govandi and surrounding areas have been demanding that the bio-waste project being carried out by SMS Envoclean Pvt. Ltd. should be moved out of Mumbai. Maharashtra Environment Minister Aaditya Thackeray directed that the biomedical waste plant should be shifted out of Mumbai within a year. 

The residents have been complaining of air pollution and other issues. They have alleged that the SMS Envoclean has been violating the air pollution norms and releasing black smoke into residential areas. 

The SMS Evoclean company was appointed by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to deal with the COVID-19 and other biomedical waste generated in Mumbai. Thackeray directed the private company to find an alternative site for their operations within a month. 

The decision was taken during a meeting held at Sahyadri Guest House in the presence of Maharashtra Environment Minister Aaditya Thackeray. A proposal to relocate the biomedical waste plant to Khalapur was made in the meeting. 

Samajwadi Party (SP) leader Abu Asim Azmi was present in the meeting along with Secretary of Pollution Control Board Ashok Shingare, BMC officials and director of SMS Envoclean Company. 

Earlier, Azmi protested against Aaditya accusing him of ignoring the issue. He alleged that a local SMS company has put the lives of 12 lakh residents in the area at risk. A large number of TB patients are being found in Govandi, Shivaji Nagar and M/East ward, the SP leader added.

However, during the meeting, Thackeray said that biomedical waste needs to be processed in a scientific manner and action should be taken to relocate the biomedical waste plant. 

“People don't want to face the pollution that comes from it. For this, action should be taken regarding the relocation of the plant. A definite plan in this regard should be prepared immediately. He said that another meeting will be held in the next 10 days to follow up on this,” Thackeray said. 

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