Due to these prolonged postings, the health of policemen and officers stationed in these areas is steadily deteriorating. Continuous exposure to toxic air, dust, and smoke from the dumping ground has led to an increase in respiratory illnesses, chronic coughing, skin allergies, and persistent fatigue
Harmful smoke billows from a chimney near the Deonar dumping ground (right) garbage trucks pass through the area, stirring up dust and fumes. Pics/Aishwarya Iyer
The road leading to the Deonar dumping ground was cloaked in smoke trailing from four to five garbage trucks. The battered road, with broken asphalt, stirred up clouds of dust and debris with every passing vehicle. Cutting through the haze, a uniformed police officer from Shivaji Nagar police station zipped past on his bike, helmet strapped on. As he paused to adjust a handkerchief over his nose, readying himself for patrol, he muttered, “We breathe this air every single day. I’ve been doing this for four years now.”
Since 2007, after growing concerns about the impact of pollution on police health, the Mumbai police implemented a revised tenure policy for officers posted in these areas. The updated posting durations reduced the usual three-year tenure to two years for officers (PSI–API), senior inspectors, and higher ranks, and from five years to three years for constables.
Police officers say waste-laden trucks often pass right by their stations. Pic/Aishwarya Iyer
However, this policy largely remains on paper. Most police personnel posted at the Deonar, Mankhurd, and Shivaji Nagar police stations often end up serving far beyond the prescribed tenure. While the reasons are largely administrative, the impact is felt physically and mentally by the officers.
Due to these prolonged postings, the health of policemen and officers stationed in these areas is steadily deteriorating. Continuous exposure to toxic air, dust, and smoke from the dumping ground has led to an increase in respiratory illnesses, chronic coughing, skin allergies, and persistent fatigue. Many officers admit that serving in such conditions for extended periods is taking a toll not just on their physical stamina but also on their mental well-being, often leading to stress, irritability, and burnout.
“My eyes burn constantly. It’s only been eight months since I was posted here, but the stress is already unbearable,” said a police officer stationed at Shivaji Nagar. Another officer, who has been posted here for 4.5 years, added, “Three sides of our station are surrounded by the Deonar dumping ground, a massive site spread over 311 acres, and on the other side, there’s the Rafiq Nagar nullah. Imagine the stench! The roads are filthy, and every day, metric tons of waste pass through these streets in garbage trucks. We’re exposed to all of it, and then we go home to our families and children, unknowingly putting them at risk too.”
A constable posted in Deonar echoed the same frustration: “The smell, the smoke, the dust, it’s relentless. By the time my shift ends, I feel drained, my throat is dry, and my head hurts. But we just carry on, as it’s our duty.” Many officers admit that while their commitment to duty keeps them going, the physical strain is becoming harder to ignore.
Some say the stress and pollution have triggered a range of health issues, from hair loss and loss of appetite to persistent skin problems. Officers aged 45 and above seem to suffer the most, with some even showing early symptoms of respiratory diseases like tuberculosis.
“You start feeling it after a while, the constant fatigue, breathlessness, and even patches on the skin,” said an officer who has completed three years in the area. He added that many residents in the vicinity also suffer from respiratory infections, including TB. But due to inadequate treatment and low literacy levels, they often neglect their health. “They frequently visit the police stations in this condition, which increases the risk of contamination for us as well,” he said. mid-day has learnt that two constables have shown early signs of tuberculosis and are currently undergoing treatment.
Despite these warning signs, officers claim that medical check-ups are infrequent, and there is no systematic health monitoring in place for those exposed to such harsh conditions. “We don’t have a choice. This is our posting, so we show up,” one officer said quietly, tying his handkerchief over his face before stepping out for patrol.
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