BJP MP Kirit Somaiya along with Shiv Sena leader and environment minister in the state Cabinet Ramdas Kadam had a war of words over the issue of fire at the Deonar dumping yard on Tuesday.
BJP MP Kirit Somaiya along with Shiv Sena leader and environment minister in the state Cabinet Ramdas Kadam had a war of words over the issue of fire at the Deonar dumping yard on Tuesday.
While Mr Somaiya demanded that a Special Investigation Team (SIT) investigate the contracts regarding Deonar dumping yard, Mr Kadam said that the culprits are not being caught as they are close to the BJP. Meanwhile, residents affected by the repeated fire incidents at dumping ground have started an online petition seeking the Prime Minister and the Supreme Court to uphold the citizens’ right to clean air.
Environment minister Ramdas Kadam, who made fiery statements in the legislative council over the issue, when asked to comment on Mr Somaiya’s statement said that the culprits are roaming free as they are close to the BJP. “Mr Somaiya and Mr Shelar are raking up the issue just to gain political mileage out of it,” said Mr Kadam.
Meanwhile, the petition launched last week by Chembur resident Shilpa Bosco on Change.org, world’s largest technology platform for social change, so far has got support from 10,909 people.
In the petition, Ms Bosco has highlighted the impact of the fires not only on the residents but also on the entire ecosystem of the city and urged the apex court to uphold the rights of citizens to clean air. She alleged that the civic body BMC is “endangering lives” of people of the city and surrounding areas and infringing the “fundamental right to clean air”.
“Our children and senior citizens cannot breath, they are suffering from respiratory problems, vomiting, headache. We have been inhaling toxic air. The air is dense and it seems to be getting worse with every passing day,” she said.
She also said that by not adhering to solid waste management rules and defying the Bombay high court orders in this regard, the BMC has endangered the lives of citizens.
Massive fire at Deonar dumping ground in January this year had created a thick blanket of smog over neighbouring areas causing serious health issues to residents, while a fresh fire broke out there last week.
