Environment minister and senior Shiv Sena leader Ramdas Kadam has reiterated that fires at Deonar dumping ground have been deliberately stoked up to defame his party ahead of Brihanmumbai Municipal Co
Environment minister and senior Shiv Sena leader Ramdas Kadam has reiterated that fires at Deonar dumping ground have been deliberately stoked up to defame his party ahead of Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) polls.
He also informed the state Legislative Council that Mumbai police commissioner has been asked to probe the reason as to why fires are being broke out only after contract with the UPL company, which was handling the dumping ground, got over.
“We strongly suspect that the fire at Deonar dumping ground was started to defame Shiv Sena,” Mr Kadam said.
He was replying to supplementary queries raised by legislators on the issue of growing pollution in Mumbai and other parts of the state.
Mr Kadam had visited Deonar dumping ground on Monday and later had alleged that BJP is behind the fires that are frequently coming up at the dumpsite.
“The state government has decided to shift the Deonar dumping ground to nearby Taloja, where garbage from Mumbai will be processed scientifically. Taking into account the pollution caused by garbage and fires at dump sites, the government has decided not to have any garbage dumps in the state. The garbage will be henceforth disposed off scientifically only,” said the minister in council.
Mr Kadam also apprised the council about various measures undertaken to reduce pollution in Mumbai. “The state government has appointed a committee of experts from the IIT and NEERI to study pollution levels in 10 cities having more than 10 lakh population.” He also said, “The committee will prepare an action plan for pollution control. Based on the report, the government will take policy decision. The budget allocation per city is Rs 75 lakh and overall budgetary allocation is of Rs 5.75 crore.”
The Sena leader further added that they are planning to install air purification machines, which absorbs polluted air and releases oxygen, in Mumbai. One such machine has been installed on a pilot basis and more would be set up at 50 major traffic junctions in the city depending upon its success, said Mr Kadam.
