The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has approved a two-year scientific study by the CSIR-National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (CSIR-NEERI) to assess methane emissions, air pollution and foul odour originating from the Kanjurmarg solid waste processing facility.
The proposal, estimated to cost Rs 3 crore, was cleared by the BMC Standing Committee on Wednesday. The study will examine emission and odour levels around the facility and investigate the factors behind repeated complaints from residents of Kanjurmarg East and Vikhroli East.
The initiative follows continuing concerns raised by residents, including submissions before the Bombay High Court, over the environmental impact of the waste-processing site. A separate study based on satellite observations by researchers at UCLA had identified Kanjurmarg as a significant methane hotspot.
Two-Year Scientific Assessment
As part of the assessment, CSIR-NEERI will collect scientific data on methane and other pollutants, measure odour-related impacts and evaluate the effectiveness of existing measures intended to control emissions.
According to the BMC proposal, the institute will submit interim progress reports after six, 12 and 18 months, followed by a comprehensive report at the conclusion of the two-year study. The findings are expected to help authorities identify measures to reduce the impact of emissions and odour on nearby residential neighbourhoods.
Residents have repeatedly complained about a strong smell, particularly during night-time hours when waste-processing activities are underway. The facility’s proximity to densely populated areas has kept air quality and odour concerns at the centre of a long-running civic dispute.
Sanjay Yevle, who has petitioned the High Court, said residents have continued to raise the issue despite repeated interventions.
“The issue is that despite so many mechanisms being put in place, and despite so much noise around the issue, nothing seems to have changed. Everything is back to normal this monsoon. Every monsoon, it worsens and this has been no exception,” Yevle said.
A senior BMC official, meanwhile, said complaints had declined after the civic body increased monitoring during the ongoing court proceedings and maintained that steps were being taken to prevent the landfill from causing a nuisance to surrounding residents.
The NEERI study is expected to provide a detailed scientific baseline for addressing the concerns.
Source: Hindustan Times
