Taking serious note of citizens’ complaints, the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) has slapped a notice on BMC for repeated violations of environmental norms at dumping grounds.
During their visits, the MPCB found that, contrary to BMC claims, no scientific methods were being followed while dumping garbage leading to air and water pollution. Residents living around Deonar, Mulund and Kanjurmarg dumping grounds have been crying hoarse about the rising pollution in their areas due to the dumpsites.
The MPCB notice has been issued under various sections of the Air and Water Pollution Control Act, Environmental Protection Act and also for non-compliance of municipal solid wastes rules. It has also asked the BMC to submit a fixed programme for the same.
Additional municipal commissioner Mohan Adtani admitted that the BMC has received a prosecution notice from the MPCB. “We have already started taking action against erring contractors and are also exploring legal options in this matter. We are looking for new technologies to make dumping grounds safe and pollution-free,” he said.
In the notice, the MPCB officials have also pointed out the absence of leachate collection system.
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Two arrested for attacking 26/11 constable
Age Correspondent
Mumbai, Oct. 28
Two persons were arrested on Sunday for attacking a police constable, who was part of the team that captured 26/11 terrorist Ajmal Aamir Kasab.
Constable Mangesh Naik was attacked with a cement block while trying to chase a trio that was involved in a scuffle near Shainaz subway in Malad (west). The arrested duo has been identified as Sandesh Vilas Kadam (22) and Feroz Azuruddin Sheikh (20), who live in Kandivali; the other accused is absconding.
According to the police, Mr Naik, who is attached with the Malad police station, was on night patrol duty along with another constable on Saturday when he received a call from the control room regarding a scuffle that had taken place near Shainaz subway.
“The police reached the spot. The trio tried escaping after they saw the police vehicle. The other constable tried chasing the trio, when one among them threw a cement block, which struck Mr Naik’s head,” said Sameer Lonkar, PSI from Malad police station.