Welcome to Deonar! Where Mumbai burns its problems and locals choke on the fumes

On 27 January this year, Deonar was engulfed in thick smog resulting from a fire that broke out in the city’s largest and oldest dumping ground. Close to 4000 tonnes of garbage is dumped there everyday. According to Afternoon Dispatch and Courier, the dense smog still leaves residents choked, with many experiencing “extreme irritation to the eyes” and “breathing problems”. [caption id=“attachment_2613734” align=“alignleft” width=“825”]  Image Courtesy: Solaris[/caption] Smog hits normal life in Mumbai:  Zee News reports that the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation had to shut down 74 schools run by it, due to the intense smog from 29 January. According to a report in The Indian Express, the Bombay High Court pointed to the fact that two-thirds of the city’s solid waste was being dumped illegally and that a solution must be found. [caption id=“attachment_2613772” align=“alignleft” width=“825”]  Firefighters try to bring the situation under control. Solaris[/caption] As city chokes, citizens protest:  The Hindustan Times reports that the city residents held a protest march on Wednesday, because the air quality in the city has been abysmal ever since the fire broke out. This Mumbai Mirror article reports that Mumbai is the only city to have an association of smoke affected residents. The Smoke Affected Residents Forum (SARF) comprises people who have suffered from toxic smoke from burning garbage. [caption id=“attachment_2613752” align=“alignleft” width=“825”]  The Deonar Fire captured by a satellite. Image Courtesy: NASA[/caption] Judiciary steps in: Ajit Ranade of Mumbai Mirror reports that this issue is not new. In 1996, the court had directed that the Deonar dumping ground should be partially closed in order to protect the fundamental “right to life” of people. SARF had filed a contempt of court petition in in 2009, alleging that the BMC had paid no attention to the court’s orders to solve the mounting garbage issues in 2003. [caption id=“attachment_2613768” align=“alignleft” width=“825”]  Thick smog in Mumbai following the Deonar fire. Solaris images[/caption] The civic body finally reacts: The BMC, according to Asian Age has decided to adopt measures such as constructing a compound wall, quick deployment of fire brigade, watchtowers and CCTVs at the dumpyard. [caption id=“attachment_2613780” align=“alignleft” width=“825”]  A quick and effective solution must be found to avoid a recurrence. IBNLive[/caption]