In a saga of environmental battles, the residents of Govandi, who recently emerged victorious in relocating a biomedical waste treatment plant, now find themselves facing a new threat. The revelation of an impending waste-to-energy plant at the Deonar dumping ground has stirred fresh concerns among the already distressed residents of the suburb known for its abysmal air quality.
Having endured toxic fumes from the biomedical waste treatment plant since 2009, the residents secured a Bombay High Court directive in September to shift the plant within two years. However, the discovery of the upcoming waste-to-energy plant, set to treat 600 metric tonnes of garbage daily, has heightened tensions in Govandi.
Faiyyaz Alam Shaikh, president of the Govandi New Welfare Society, remarked, “Govandi has become a testing hub, and we are the guinea pigs.” Expressing discontent with authorities, he highlighted that positive projects favored the elite, leaving the citizens of Govandi treated as second-class.
The environmental hazards have taken a toll on public health, with numerous cases of tuberculosis, asthma, and cancer reported. A TISS report revealed an alarming average life expectancy of 39 years in the M East ward, compared to the 70-plus years in the rest of the state.
The recent loss of Shahid Sheikh, a 24-year-old Govandi resident, underscores the health crisis. His brother Salim Sheikh, a leather factory worker, attributed Shahid’s respiratory issues to the pervasive pollution. Salim lamented the challenges faced by poor daily wagers, emphasizing that going without work for a day means going without food.
The Deonar-Govandi area, with a population of around 12 lakhs, primarily comprises lower-income groups. Residents describe the suffocating pollution, with even children falling ill due to weakened immune systems.
Karim Khan, a Govandi resident, described waking up to smoky haze daily, expressing concerns for children’s health. Despite winning the court case against the biomedical waste treatment plant, the shifting process is expected to take two more years, leaving residents vulnerable to health risks.
Faiyyaz Alam Shaikh’s installation of AQI-monitoring machines revealed elevated emissions of pollutants, surpassing World Health Organization levels. The health impact includes strokes, respiratory issues, and heightened risk of Bell’s Palsy.
The plight of Gulam Rusool, a wheelchair-bound Govandi resident, epitomizes the devastating health consequences of pollution. Despite health crises, local representatives have failed to address civic projects’ dangers, leaving Govandi residents feeling neglected and disregarded.