Mahim Creek is a Garbage Dump, We Want Authorities to Take Action

The Mahim Creek is one of the most heavily polluted water bodies in Maharashtra.

(Photo: Irfan Macchiwala/Altered by The Quint)

Video Editor: Sandeep Suman

On 11 February, a few residents of Mahim West stood in protest of garbage burning and waste disposal at the Sion-Mahim link Dharavi bridge in Mumbai.

Five of us – Farooque Dhala, Mushtaq Ansari, Javed Shaikh, Haneef Agwan, Irfan Machhiwala – held placards of ‘Save Pollution’ and ‘Save Mangroves’ in an attempt to raise awareness of authorities like the BMC to protect the mangroves which grow in the Mahim creek from scrap dealers, who sort and then burn garbage in the area, leading to air pollution in Mahim East and Mahim West area. There was a fire due to this on 8 February.

Scrap or plastic is burned which emanate harmful smoke that makes it difficult to breathe. Waste materials are being dumped into the creek and the chemicals and effluents from industries, which are directly being released into it only makes matters worse.

Bio-medical waste, electronic waste and other waste are burnt to extract copper, iron, silver etc. Air pollution is also affecting Raheja Hospital nearby and fishermen colonies. People here burn the waste to extract metal and don’t pay heed to residents nearby. The smoke extends till a 3 km radius. People living in the building have to shut the doors and windows, their eyes burn and are developing asthma problems. But those who burn waste only think of their business.

And this is not new. As my friend Mushtaq says, scrap burning has been happening for 25 to 30 years in Dharavi.

“Although better now, scrap burning has never stopped. We complained and there was action taken, but people still burned garbage in the night time as burning in the day time meant smoke would be visible and consequent action would be taken.”

Mithi River is one of the most heavily polluted water bodies in Maharashtra, which directly flows into the Arabian Sea. The concerned authorities don't take any action or stop people from polluting the creek. Strict action should be taken against those who litter and pollute, the BMC should erect a huge wall close to the Mahim-Dharavi bridge.

All Eyes on Authorities

Residents have to keep their door and windows shut as their eyes burn due to smoke. Further, dumping debris causes dust pollution in the area. We, Mahim residents, sent a written request to CM Devendra Fadnavis as well as the Mumbai Police to give special attention on this issue and arrest those who burn different types of wastes in open air. The investigation to this is ongoing.

“Because of the burning and consequent fire, there was so much air pollution, the residents went through so much trouble, who is to blame for that? If the administration and residents don’t take responsibility, then who will? We request everyone to come forward and raise their voice against this.”

Javed Shaikh

(BMC sources have told The Quint that someone is sent to clean the bridge everyday. All 'My Report' branded stories are submitted by citizen journalists to The Quint. Though The Quint inquires into the claims/allegations from all parties before publishing, the report and the views expressed above are the citizen journalist's own. The Quint neither endorses, nor is responsible for the same.)