A massive volume of garbage, estimated at 30,000 metric tons, has piled up at the Wagle Estate garbage transfer station in Thane, causing a major environmental crisis. The situation has sparked concerns among residents, who are facing an unbearable stench and fear potential health hazards due to the accumulating trash.
The transfer station, located in the C P Talav area, serves as a temporary holding point for waste collected from various parts of the city. It is supposed to transfer the collected waste to bulk waste processing plants using compactors and dumpers. However, a recent operational snag at the Daighar waste disposal unit, coupled with the saturation of the existing Diva and Bhandarli dumping grounds, has created a bottleneck in the waste management system. This unexpected situation has resulted in the accumulation of waste at the transfer station for the past few days, leaving the Thane Municipal Corporation with no alternative but to leave it there.
The accumulation of such a massive amount of garbage, equivalent to the size of over 20 Olympic-size swimming pools, is a matter of serious concern. The area surrounding the transfer station is densely populated, with numerous residential settlements and commercial hubs. Residents are complaining about the unbearable stench emanating from the garbage and the associated health hazards.
“There is an unbearable stench in the area, and we fear a possible health hazard as residents are forced to inhale the polluted air throughout the day. The land where the dumping is done belongs to the MIDC, and we are also questioning how they allowed it as a dumping yard. We also approached the civic chief, requesting if we will ever be able to breathe clean and pure air,” complained Rameshwar Bachate, a local resident.
Responding to the escalating crisis, the corporation has managed to identify an alternate dumping station at Atkoli in neighboring Bhiwandi. Municipal Commissioner Saurabh Rao, who inspected the area last week, has ordered the clearance of the trash from Wagle Estate station by August 31. In an effort to contain the immediate health concerns, the corporation has also sprayed chemicals to neutralize the stench and prevent mosquito breeding.
The situation in Thane highlights the urgent need for a comprehensive waste management strategy to prevent such crises in the future. Effective planning, efficient waste disposal infrastructure, and adequate resources are essential to manage the increasing volume of waste generated by urban centers. It also emphasizes the importance of public awareness and community involvement in promoting sustainable waste management practices.
