Every night, residents across Kharghar, Roadpali, Kalamboli, and Taloja say they brace themselves for another wave of toxic air. Some say the chemical fumes become so intense during the early morning hours that stepping out feels impossible.

Among the loudest voices fighting the issue is Deepak Singh, a Kharghar-based social activist who says the battle against industrial pollution became deeply personal after losing his mother to asthma complications. “Pollution in Kharghar, Taloja, and Roadpali from the Taloja industrial area has existed for many years, but hardly anyone could stand against these industries emitting harmful chemicals and gases,” Singh told mid-day. “This is slow poison. Thousands of people are inhaling toxic air every day without realising how dangerous it is. Slowly, it is killing people staying in these areas.”