Navi Mumbai: The residents of Sector 28, Vashi are leaving and breathing toxic smell which they say, has been affecting their health as well as causing contamination of water. They claim that they have been raising this issue with the local self-government body, but nothing has been done to resolve the issue.
They say that the smell is coming from some chemical factories located in the nearby Trans Thane Creek (TTC) industrial area and the civic authorities have failed to take any action against these units. The residents feel that the industrial units situated in the TTC area are not following set norms as regards disposing the chemical waste as also controlling pollution coming out of their units.
Residents Complain Over Bad Smell
“Ever since I shifted to Sector 28 in Vashi with my family, things have become very difficult for us since we are regularly experiencing gaseous smell with some harmful chemicals mostly after 12 am, sometimes at 2 am or between 3.30 and 4 am. Even while performing yoga in the week hours, it becomes tough for me to inhale fresh air as I get only strong chemical smell that's released by factories may be deliberately during such time when people are mostly asleep. I feel dizzy and many times felt like vomiting after inhaling the air during pranayama. Some days back, I vomited and had severe stomach ache which was a completely new and weird feeling for me,” a resident of Sector 28, Vashi, Madhu Shankar said.
“As a result of the toxic smell, we have to keep our windows closed most of the times, my kids feel irritation in eyes very often while we cough most of the times when we smell the gaseous air. My husband too is feeling weird after shifting here as he also never experienced such issues before. It's a serious concern and all those who are responsible should be taken to task at the earliest,” she said.
“I fail to understand what authorities are doing to put a check on these toxic emissions of harmful gases from factories. I doubt if air quality centres are working properly especially during peak hours. The Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) is being so liberal on factories emitting harmful gases, but seem to have overlooked this issue,” Shankar added.
Another resident, on condition of anonymity, said, “There has been persistent problem of severe foul smell-loaded smoke that forms a layer and makes surrounding hazy. You can barely see parked cars of people at a distance few blocks away. This happens mainly post 12 midnight when most of the pedestrians and civilians are wrapping up day. It’s so uncomfortable to breathe and kids have suddenly developed coarse coughing. In case the windows are kept open at night the smoke is also evident in the house and gaseous smell is difficult to breathe. This is leading to burning eyes as well and kids constantly rub eyes even in sleep and wake up with pinkish under eye.”
“I am shocked and amazed that authorities are not vigilant about this and such pollutants are freely released in air of residential premises. I urge the concerned officials and authorities to take immediate action before some unfortunate incident happens,” the resident added.
Echoing similar feelings, Koparkhairane resident, Kaval Kaur said, “Foul smell has resulted in many health issues especially among kids. My daughter never had allergic asthmatic symptoms but after shifting to Koparkhairne, we have been facing all these challenges and spending a lot on medication. Most of the time when we pass through the open drain after crossing drain near Sector 29 Vashi, the pungent smell is unbearable. Authorities should take some strict action as its spoiling the air quality as well creating health concerns.”
The residents added that they complained about the same to the Municipal Commissioner Rajesh Narvekar, but to no result. All efforts to get in touch with NMMC officials proved futile.
