In a significant development, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has taken suo-motu cognisance for the illegal operation of furnaces along Kherani Road in Saki Naka, Mumbai, and their contribution to rising air pollution levels in the region. The NGT’s intervention comes in response to mounting environmental and health concerns raised by residents and local organisations about the severe pollution in the area.
The NGT, in its latest order, acknowledged that replies had already been received from both the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) and the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) on the issue. However, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has requested an additional three-week period to submit its response, leading to the adjournment of the case to February 18, 2025. The alarming rise in air pollution across several parts of Mumbai, particularly in the L Ward, which encompasses areas like Chandivali and Kherani Road. According to residents, around 70 to 80 illegal furnaces, or bhattis, operate in the area, causing severe pollution and deteriorating air quality. These furnaces are believed to be a major contributor to the increasing number of respiratory diseases affecting the local population. Mandeep Singh Makkar, president of the Chandivali Citizens Welfare Association (CCWA), had expressed concerns in the FPJ report, stating that despite promises from former BMC commissioner Iqbal Chahal to establish anti-pollution flying squads in every ward, this initiative remains unfulfilled.
In addition to the furnace pollution, a study by the Bombay Environmental Action Group (BEAG) further compounds the issue, revealing that bakeries, which account for a significant portion of Mumbai’s air pollution, rely heavily on scrap wood as fuel. The study, conducted in August 2023, found that 47.1% of the 200 bakeries surveyed used scrap wood, a practice that releases harmful pollutants such as PM2.5 and PM10, as well as carcinogenic volatile organic compounds (VOCs). BEAG emphasised that this cheap alternative to electricity is not only a false economy but also a major environmental hazard. As the NGT awaits the BMC’s reply, it is expected to issue comprehensive directions on tackling the pollution crisis once the necessary information is provided. The case’s next hearing, scheduled for February 2025, will focus on assessing the measures to be implemented to mitigate the pollution and protect public health.
