Padegaon garbage depot fire; residents' health at risk

Lokmat News Network

Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar

As reported by Lokmat Times yesterday, the real concern at the Padegaon garbage depot is not whether the fire was accidental or deliberate but whether the waste processing agency has adequate systems and manpower to protect residents from toxic smoke. Controversial since 2018, the depot is now sending toxic plumes across Power House, Kasambari Darga, Gloria City, Bhavsingura, Bhimnagar, Shravasti Colony, Lalmati, and Nisarg Colony.

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One heap catches fire every day for 5 days

For five consecutive days, a fresh mound has been catching fire burning plastic, clothing, sanitary napkins, and dead animals. Two fire brigade vehicles have been overwhelmed due to a severe water shortage. Though the processing unit has a fire suppression system, it lies unused with no manpower or maintenance. Four Municipal Corporation tankers are ferrying water just to douse the flames.

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What does the company say?

Mayo Bhesal Machine Pvt. Ltd. manager Ashutosh Jha stated the burning mounds are under Municipal Corporation jurisdiction, blaming rag-pickers, drug-addicted youths, and extreme heat for the fires.

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Two corporators stage protest

Uddhav Sena's Ganesh Lokhande and VBA's Karuna Jadhav rushed to the depot Sunday, questioning the manager and attempting to lock it down.

"The Corporation's waste management claims have fallen flat. Garbage must be disposed of properly at the earliest." - Ganesh Lokhande

"Colonies here are just 100 metres away far below the 200-metre legal limit. This depot must be relocated. Officials must decide within two days." - Karuna Jadhav

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"The depot has a complete fire suppression system installed, but it is non-functional due to lack of maintenance by the contractor agency. There is a major shortage of water for extinguishing fires. There is no one to operate the fire system, and only a single security guard is deployed. Currently, three fire engines are stationed there but are unable to operate due to the absence of water."

— Ashok Khandekar, fire officer