The change in the government might just be the opportunity for the Shiv Sena to resolve the long-standing issue of Mahul residents who are suffering on account of toxic emissions from factories in the area. Environment Minister Aaditya Thackeray on Thursday said the state government has initiated the process of addressing the residents' grievances.

The high court had on September 23 instructed the civic body to pay the residents transit rent within 12 weeks but the BMC filed a special leave petition in the Supreme Court seeking a stay on HC's order. After a setback on the legal front, the people of Mahul have now pinned their hopes on the Shiv Sena, which is in power both in the government and the BMC. Organisations fighting for them have demanded the withdrawal of BMC's plea in the SC.