Over 25 lakh citizens residing in the suburban belts of Mankhurd, Chembur, Deonar, Ghatkopar, Vikhroli and parts of Navi Mumbai may finally get to breathe a little more freely.
A proposal for partial closure of a portion of the Deonar dumping ground and the conversion of the rest into a scientific waste treatment facility is expected to get the nod from the standing committee on Monday.
The Rs3,495-crore proposal, which was earlier rejected by the Sena-led standing committee, was retabled by the municipal commissioner last week, following directives issued by the Bombay High Court, which is hearing a contempt petition filed by Dr Sandeep Rane of the Smoke Affected Residents Forum (SARF) against the BMC for non-implementation of its earlier assurances to reduce air-pollution in the area.
The court has given the BMC one final chance to submit a concrete plan for treatment of the waste. The BMC is expected to furnish the plan before July 22, when the court will hear the matter again. Keen not to risk contempt of court proceedings, the BMC decided to table an unchanged proposal to the standing committee.
Sources said that the party was likely to clear the proposal. Partner BJP and opposition Congress have already spoken in favour of the proposal. Standing committee chairman Ravindra Waikar said that the opinions of all committee members would be taken into account before taking a decision. Even he, however, agreed that the decision will have to be in line with the court directive.
