Five Dahisar workshop employees were hospitalised after inhaling toxic fumes from a rooftop metal refinery, complaints ignored for months while authorities have now issued a demolition notice
The Dahisar workshop where five employees fell ill, with a refinery operating on the upper floors accused of emitting hazardous fumes. Pics/Nimesh Dave
Five employees of a Dahisar workshop were rushed to Kandivali’s Shatabdi Hospital last Saturday after suffering severe respiratory distress, allegedly due to toxic fumes from a metal refinery operating in the same building. Though discharged within a day, workers say the exposure has left lasting effects.
Authorities act, but late
The fire department, responding to an RTI filed by Milan Dave, owner of Milan Exim, inspected the refiners setup, and recommended civic and pollution authorities to take action. “We have acknowledged the issue and issued a demolition notice to JSK Refinery.
However, the matter is in court. The hearing is on April 2, after which we will proceed as per the court’s order,” said Sanjay Sambra, engineer, BMC R North ward.
Workers of the Dahisar workshop who were hospitalised after allegedly inhaling toxic fumes from a refinery in the same building
An MPCB official said, “We have issued proposed directions under the Air and Water Acts on March 13 and scheduled a personal hearing in the first week of April. Further action will follow.” Police have registered multiple complaints and an FIR in the matter.
Refinery responds
“I understand the concerns about my terrace operations and will try to resolve them as soon as possible. However, Milan Dave is raising these issues due to ulterior motives related to a terrace ownership dispute,” said JSK Refinery owner Prashant Prakash Soni.
Owner Speak
Milan Dave, owner of Milan Exim, a diamond polishing unit in Vadhwani Industrial Estate, said his workshop operates on the ground floor, while JSK Refinery runs on the first floor and an allegedly encroached terrace.
“I have been concerned about this for months. Many of my workers, and even I, have suffered skin burns and respiratory issues due to these emissions. There is a power installation where the burning droplets fall and a metro station just 60 feet away.
This is a grave health and fire hazard. I don’t understand how authorities have allowed this,” Dave said. He alleged that exhaust systems on the terrace release eye-and throat-irritating fumes along with acidic droplets throughout the day, putting nearly 210 workers at risk.
Milan Dave’s timeline of complaints and action sought
October 17: First letter to BMC flagging terrace encroachment and loss of access.
December 3: Dahisar police accepted a written complaint after a 100 call.
December 7: Police visited the site but took no action.
December 26: Visit to Dahisar police station; complaint registration initially denied.
December 29: Second letter to BMC (R North ward).
January 1: Third letter to BMC.
January 2: First complaint to Borivli fire office.
January 23: Fourth letter to BMC; second complaint to fire office.
January 24: First complaint to MPCB.
January 28: Second complaint to MPCB.
February 10: BMC issued demolition notice to JSK Refinery after repeated follow-ups.
February 16: First non-cognisable complaint registered by police.
February 16: RTI filed with fire department and MPCB.
February 24: Second non-cognisable complaint registered.
March 14: Letter sent to muliple authorities including MPCB.
March 26: FIR registered by police.
March 26: The fire department, in RTI response, inspected terrace setup and flagged it to BMC and the police.
Workers recount ordeal
Balram Pandey, 48, supervisor
‘I was coughing and felt constant tightness in my chest with heavy breathing. Five of us were hospitalised for a day. I believe it was due to the toxic fumes from the terrace.’
Abhishek Rajput, 27, ratnakalakar
‘We were first rushed to Bhagwati Hospital in Borivali and then shifted to Shatabdi by ambulance. We were discharged on Sunday, but we haven’t resumed work yet. We’re still recovering.’
Sameer Shaikh, 26, ratnakalakar
‘We ignored the discomfort earlier, but this time it got serious. I was given oxygen support twice and kept under observation.’
Neeraj Goswami, 22, ratnakalakar
‘We have seen these issues increase over the past one to two months, including burns from sparks and breathing problems due to toxic fumes. I’m still on medication and recovering.’
Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!
