Mumbai: The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has taken suo-motu cognizance of a news article published by The Free Press Journal (FPJ) on August 26, concerning pollution caused by illegal furnaces (bhattis) concentrated along Kherani Road in Saki Naka, Mumbai, and the regulatory actions which were required to address the issue.
The NGT, in its order, noted that replies have already been received from the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) and the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). Meanwhile, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) sought a period of three weeks to file its reply, leading to the matter being adjourned to February 18, 2025.
According to the FPJ report, persistent air pollution in various parts of Mumbai has led to a significant increase in health issues among residents. Localities like Chandivali and Kherani Road (L Ward) have become hubs for illegal furnaces, and residents allege that the BMC has been indifferent to the escalating crisis.
Residents had claimed that approximately 70 to 80 illegal furnaces operate in the Kherani Road area, significantly contributing to severe air pollution. This pollution has reportedly led to a rise in respiratory diseases among the local population.
Mandeep Singh Makkar, president of the Chandivali Citizens Welfare Association (CCWA), while speaking to FPJ, in the earlier order had said, “Former BMC commissioner Iqbal Chahal had promised to establish an anti-pollution flying squad in each ward, yet it remains a mere promise on paper.”
Meanwhile, a study by the Bombay Action Environmental Group (BEAG) revealed that bakeries are the third-largest source of air pollutants in Mumbai, primarily due to their reliance on scrap wood as fuel.
According to the study, 47.1% of the 200 bakeries surveyed in August 2023 were using scrap wood as a fuel source. This practice not only contributes to harmful pollutants like PM2.5 and PM10 but also emits carcinogenic volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
The study emphasized that using scrap wood, often considered a cost-effective alternative to electricity, is a false economy and a major contributor to air pollution.
The NGT is expected to address these issues comprehensively once the BMC submits its reply, and further directions will be issued in the next hearing.
