A few residents of Govandi are up in arms against bio medical plant operating in their area. This is the same plant where all the biomedical waste that Mumbai is generating daily is taken to.
The plant is operated by SMS Envoclean Private Limited which is responsible for running the CBWTF (Common Bio-medical Waste Treatment and Disposal Facility). What biomedical waste primarily includes is that which is coming out from hospitals i.e. syringes, scalpels broken glass, sanitary napkins, swabs, face masks, and also any kind of medical waste that was getting generated at the Covid care centres or dedicated Covid health care centres which were set up in various parts of the city during the Covid-19 crisis.
In a letter to the National Green Tribunal (NGT) judges complained about the bio medical waste plant in the area which they say has been given out toxic fumes. They said that they are hoping courts take suo motu cognizance of the issue as it concerns the lives of several living around it.
Shaikh Faiyaz Alam, from Govandi New Sangam Welfare Society said that there is excess amount of black smoke emitting from the plant which they fear could be life threatening. “In the year 2007, when BMC gave this tender to to operate this plant it was allocated in the middle of a high-way on the Mankhurd Ghatkopar link road near to Deonar Dumping ground in Govandi’s Sathe Nagar area. In 2009 this plant was ready and operative, However during that stage of period people living in adjacent slum of govandi were uneducated and ill bothered to understand what exactly the plant was and how it could become a nightmare in years to come,” stated their complaint letter to the NGT.
When contacted MPCB officials said that the long term plan is to shift the bio medical plant from outside the city to Khalapur in Raigad. “However this will take 18-24 months as Environment Clearance is still awaited,” said an official adding that pollution control mechanisms are in place and the smoke that is been seen is clear smoke only as the dust settles down.
When contacted MPCB officials said that the long term plan is to shift the bio medical plant from outside the city to Khalapur in Raigad. “However this will take 18-24 hours as Environment Clearance is still awaited,” said an official adding that pollution control mechanisms are in place and the smoke that is been seen is clear smoke only as the dust settles down.
Surjitt Sahani
