Thane’s Garbage Crisis Fires, Illegal Dumping, and Protests Raise Environmental and Health Concerns
Thane, a bustling city in Maharashtra, is grappling with an escalating garbage problem that is threatening the health and well-being of its residents. Recurring fires at dumping grounds in areas like Daighar, Diva, and Bhandarli have become a cause for serious concern. While the Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC) attributes these incidents to rising temperatures, locals are suspicious of foul play, with many alleging deliberate arson.
The situation at the Bhandarli dumping ground in Dombivli, which falls under TMC jurisdiction, has been particularly alarming. The site, which has witnessed several fires in recent months, sent plumes of toxic smoke into the air, exacerbating the environmental and health crisis. Locals, particularly those living in the surrounding villages, have long protested the site due to its hazardous impact on the environment. The plastic-heavy waste, when set on fire, releases harmful fumes, leading to respiratory issues, eye irritation, and nausea. This latest fire marks the second significant blaze at Bhandarli in a short period, reigniting fears among the residents of 14 nearby villages, including Narivli, Bale, and Mokashipada. Their complaints are not new. Since 2023, residents have consistently raised alarms over unscientific waste disposal practices, which they argue only worsen the conditions in these areas.
The protests are growing louder. A formal complaint was filed by a Daighar resident to the National Green Tribunal (NGT) on February 14, urging immediate intervention. This follows a series of similar petitions over the years, with locals accusing the TMC of ignoring their concerns. In 2023, the civic body had moved its dumping operations to Daighar Gaon after protests from Chauda Gaon residents, who had previously been subjected to stinking garbage piles and the associated health risks. But this relocation has only stirred fresh protests, with residents of Daighar now raising objections to the unscientific dumping in their vicinity. Thane generates a staggering 1039 tonnes of municipal solid waste daily, of which a significant portion consists of plastic and other non-biodegradable materials. Residents argue that the TMC has failed to implement a proper waste management strategy. The lack of a designated landfill is a major factor in the continued dumping across multiple sites. In 2023, the NGT penalised the TMC for dumping waste in Diva, which was damaging mangroves. Following this, the waste was redirected to Bhandarli and Daighar, leading to fresh rounds of protests.
While the TMC has denied any wrongdoing, residents remain unconvinced. Kiran Patil, a local activist from Daighar, presented geo-tagged photos to the NGT, alleging that TMC has been illegally burning waste. He highlighted that the absence of a buffer zone, as required by the Solid Waste Management Rules of 2016, is contributing to severe air pollution and health issues. The environmental impact of these fires is undeniable. According to environmentalists, the presence of methane in the landfills, combined with high temperatures, could be triggering these blazes. Yet, residents suspect that some fires are deliberately set. Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) leader Raju Patil echoed these concerns, pointing out that the ongoing incidents seem too coordinated to be merely an outcome of the weather.
As the situation escalates, environmentalists and residents are calling for immediate action from the authorities. Stalin D, an environmentalist with Vanashakti NGO, emphasised that the TMC’s lack of proper planning and decentralised waste management is causing irreparable damage to rural areas like Diva and Daighar.
In response, TMC’s Deputy Municipal Commissioner, Manish Joshi, dismissed the allegations, stating that preventive measures are being taken to manage waste and mitigate fire risks. These measures include covering the waste with sand and conducting awareness programmes for rag-pickers. But with ongoing fires, health risks, and rising protests, the pressure is mounting on TMC to take decisive action. The residents, already living in unbearable conditions, are demanding an end to the hazardous waste dumping practices and better solutions for waste management. In the meantime, the NGT’s intervention remains the best hope for the long-suffering residents of Thane’s garbage-ridden neighbourhoods.
