Aafrin Kidwai 
NASA Image: Smoke from the fire which broke out on 28 Jan 2016 at the Deonar dumping ground, Mumbai
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation has submitted an application in the Bombay High Court seeking extension for the closure of the Deonar dumping ground. The civic body has made little progress in setting up a waste management plant at Deonar and acquiring land at Karavle village in Ambernath for another dump yard.
The high court had in 2013 directed the BMC to shut down Deonar and Mulund dumping grounds within three months. However, the BMC managed to shut operations in Mulund only in December 2018, while dumping of waste at Deonar continues. In April, the HC allowed the civic body to dump solid waste at Deonar dumping ground until December 31, stating that it was the last extension. The high court is soon expected to hear the BMC’s fresh appeal, filed last week, for another extension.
No private agency has come forward to establish a Waste to Energy plant in Deonar despite the BMC’s repeated efforts, according to Midday.
Picture Credit: NASA, Mumbai oli 2016028, marked as public domain, more details on Wikimedia Commons
