Mumbai: Activists want online public hearing on Waste-to-Energy facility in Deonar’s dumping ground

The civic body has been trying to develop waste-to-energy plants since the last seven years. File pic

Last week, the BMC conducted an online public hearing regarding a proposed Waste-to-Energy (WtE) facility in Deonar's dumping ground. Activists working in the area have demanded that the hearing be deemed null and void, claiming that the civic body failed to consult communities who stand to be affected and other stakeholders. They are also panning the project for not being eco-friendly.

This is the second such plant the BMC wants to set up there, even though the first one isn't operational yet. Civil society members and environmental activists have asked for another hearing after 30 to 60 days.

The letter also stated that the BMC uploaded the Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) report on its website only after an objection was raised during the hearing and did not give activists enough time to study it. The BMC invited suggestions/objections by May 2. The environmentalists argued that amid the pandemic, they got to know about the project just two days before the hearing.

Environmental activist Radhika Jhaveri, who had attended the public hearing, said, "Over 300 people sent this letter before May 2, via the Let India Breathe platform. It is not fair to conduct such an important public hearing amid a pandemic. Most active civil society members are busy dealing with it. It would be prudent to wait at least until the virus is somewhat under control before initiating such public consultation."

"The primary issue is that this proposal seeks to incinerate waste to manage it," said Jhaveri. "This will have a severe result on the surrounding environment, the action cannot be eco-friendly."

May 2
Deadline to submit objections/ suggestions for the project