Illegal dumping: MBMC’s anti-debris squad plays truant
Alarmed by the massive dumping of debris especially in eco-sensitive areas like mangrove belts, creeks, wetlands, coastal regulation zones and nullahs, the health department of Mira Bhayandar Municipal Corporation (MBMC) had introduced the concept of 24x7 anti-debris dumping squad in November, 2017 to check and prevent such illegal activities which not only posed a serious threat to the fragile eco-system but also increased the risk of flooding during the rainy season.
However, despite an alarming rise in cases of dumping, the anti-debris squad has played blind to the illegal activities.
The next-to-zero achievement in the action taken report (ATR) speaks volumes about the deliberate apathy of the anti-debris squad towards controlling the dumping menace.
The lethargic attitude came to light when a matter related to massive dumping behind Hotel Sea and Rock (Versova, Kashimira) came up for hearing before the additional civic chief, Madhav Kusekar, who reprimanded the erring personnel and directed immediate action.
Comprising 29 personnel including sanitary inspectors and supervisors, the squad was constituted on November 18, 2017.
Provided with the needed mechanism including patrolling jeeps and other equipment, the squad was also armed with powers to register criminal cases at the concerned police stations against the offenders.
Apart from keeping a round-the-clock (in two shifts) vigil on the entry points, the duty of the squad envisaged keeping a close eye on road side dumping of debris by citizens and commercial establishment while conducting repair and renovation works.