Thane’s Solid Waste Woes Continue: Residents Oppose New Dumping Site in Daighar Gaon.

Thane, 2nd March 2024: The Thane Municipal Corporation’s (TMC) recent efforts to address solid waste management issues have faced challenges, as residents raise concerns over the lack of scientific waste disposal methods, the absence of fumigation to control odours, and the absence of a mandatory buffer zone between the dumping site and nearby villages and schools. The dumping site was relocated from Chauda Gaav to Daighar Gaon after protests in the former location, designated for a waste-to-energy project.

However, residents of Daighar Gaon are now protesting against the TMC, with some considering legal action. Thane generates 1,039 tonnes of municipal solid waste daily, and the recent relocation of the dumping site has sparked controversy.

Previously, the TMC faced accusations of damaging mangroves when dumping garbage in Diva, leading to penalties from the National Green Tribunal. After discontinuing dumping at Diva in February 2023, the garbage was temporarily sent to Bhandari – Chauda Gaav, facing protests, resulting in the relocation to Daighar Gaon.

Residents of Chauda Gaav had opposed the temporary dumping ground, leading to a National Green Tribunal directive for the TMC to clear the existing waste within four months. A bank guarantee of ₹5 lakh was mandated, with the risk of forfeiture if the tasks were not completed within the specified timeframe.

Residents of Daighar Gaon have been protesting since 2001-02 when a plot reserved for a garden/playground was allocated for a waste-to-energy plant. The unfinished facility has led to haphazard dumping, posing health hazards and affecting crops. Villagers report vague or nonexistent responses to RTIs filed with the TMC and MPCB. Concerns include burning garbage and covering it with soil.

Environmentalists advocate for better waste management practices, such as segregation at the source, and criticize the TMC for disregarding environmental concerns. Residents near the dumping site express distress over the impact on their lives, including rejected marriage alliances and mockery from visitors. The TMC clarifies that the site is used for processing, not as a dumping ground, with segregated waste sent to landfills and decentralized facilities.