Locals say heaps of trash on pavements causing kids to risk lives by venturing onto busy road
The trash that is compelling school children to venture onto busy Road No. 5 in Shivaji Nagar, Govandi. PICS/BY SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
Govandi residents have complained about solid waste spilling onto Road No. 5 from a formerly enclosed dumping area adjoining the Geeta Vikas School in Shivaji Nagar. Sajid Khan, a resident, said, “Garbage has been flowing onto the road for many years. There used to be a gate sealing off the dumping spot, but we don’t know if it was stolen or removed. Every time it rains, the garbage flows onto the street.”
The Anjuman Inayatul Islam Urdu High School is also near the area where garbage piles up, causing children to take to the road, which sees heavy traffic, to avoid the trash. Khan said, “Kids walk on the road to avoid the garbage, which could potentially lead to an accident.”
“The problem isn’t with garbage being dumped at the spot, as it is picked up by collectors; it is the fact that it overflows onto the road. If the gate were reinstalled, it would prevent this from happening, and if anyone littered, people would definitely pull them up and make them dispose of their waste properly.”
BMC’s response
A day after Khan took to X, on October 23, to highlight the issue, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Commission’s (BMC) M East ward account replied to his post, stating that it had taken note of the issue and would work on resolving the matter as soon as possible. When mid-day contacted the ward office, an official, requesting anonymity, said, “We are looking into the matter, and the area will also be inspected in person. After this, we will make the necessary arrangements.”
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