Fire breaks out at Deonar dump - The major fire burning at the

1/6

The major fire burning at the Deonar dump since Sunday and sending plumes of choking smoke into Mumbai aggravated on Monday evening due to strong winds, erasing hopes of any relief in the next 48 hours. The second such incident since the January 27 blaze that had left large swathes of Mumbai gasping for breath attracted national censure with the Union environment minister regretting the "callousness" of those in charge and deputing a two-member team to probe the reason for the frequent fires.

In This Pic : Fire breaks out at Deonar dump

Pic Courtesy : PTI

2/6

The latest fire was caused after 12 CCTV cameras were set up at the dump following the January inferno with officials claiming they would act as a deterrent. It does not seem to have worked and BMC officials and police are yet to determine if any possible act of sabotage has been captured by the cameras.

In This Pic : Fire breaks out at Deonar dump

Pic Courtesy : BCCL

3/6

"Though the BMC is claiming that the fire is under control, the situation to us living around the dump appears to be as bad as Sunday when we could see orange smoke coming out," said Kala Suresh, who lives in Deonar. Union environment minister Prakash Javadekar, after discussing the incident with CM Devendra Fadnavis, said: "We (environment ministry) will give appropriate advice and directions to the state government and Mumbai corporation and ask them to take stern action against violators."

In This Pic : Fire breaks out at Deonar dump

Pic Courtesy : PTI

4/6

He added: "Fire at the dumpyard emitting toxic gases is a serious issue. This shows callousness on the part of the contractor and those involved in the operations of managing and dumping waste. We are sending a two-member special team this (Monday) evening to the dumping site and our team will give full report within a week." Asked about possible "sabotage", he said it would be clear once the team submits its report.

In This Pic : Fire breaks out at Deonar dump

Pic Courtesy : BCCL

5/6

He said his ministry will issue new solid waste management rules within a fortnight. "Decentralised waste collection and utilization, segregation and its recycling are the way forward," he said.

In This Pic : Fire breaks out at Deonar dump

Pic Courtesy : BCCL