Uttan dumping ground now a site of toxic leaks

After fires at the Uttan dumping ground that sent smoke into the surrounding villages during the dry season, residents of the area have complained about toxic leachate from the garbage after the rains. Residents have demanded a closing down on the dump and removal of the accumulated garbage.

- Manoj Ramakrishnan

The issue has received support from the local churches.

Recently, a priest who was delivering a sermon at the Our Lady of Velankanni shrine at Uttan made an impassioned appeal to church members and government authorities to resolve the problem.

"We were surprised when the priest spoke about the issue in his homily. It is rare to talk about a subject like this during a religious service," said a resident of Uttan.

The dump, located on a hillock in Uttan village, receives garbage from Mira-Bhayandar city, which neighbours Mumbai in the northwest. Five villages are located around the periphery of the hillock - Dongri, Tarodi, Pali, Chowk, and Uttan.