Maharashtra Pollution Control Board takes Mira-Bhayander municipality to court for not recycling waste

MUMBAI: The Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) has filed a case in the Thane court against the Mira Bhayander Municipal Corporation (MBMC) for openly disposing garbage without scientifically recycling it.
The civic administration has been dumping garbage in the open ever since its solid waste management plant located at Dhagvi village in Utan, Bhayander (west) shut down in September 2009 following protest by residents.

In Utan, the wastes that have reached several heights are being openly burned since February. Residents of Utan, Pali, Chowk, Dongri in Bhayander (west) have complained of breathing difficulties due to the smoke. Add to it the stink that gets worse in the night hours. The municipality generates approximately 460 400 tonnes of waste daily.

The MPCB moved the court in August under the Prevention of Control and Pollution Act. The matter will be heard on November 2. The MPCB told the court that the Utan land was given free of cost to the municipality by the state government in 2002. The municipality, however, has not been able to recycle waste. The MPCB has issued around three show cause notices to the civic administration but there has no response.

The municipality has now short listed a plot in Sakwar village, Virar. Villagers here are also opposing the recycle plant.