Residents living near Nahur railway station on the Goregaon-Mulund Link Road in Mumbai are facing significant health challenges attributed to pollution from an old cement godown. Despite multiple complaints to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), no effective action has been taken to address the issue.
Health Concerns Among Residents
Amit Gavas, a local resident, reported that his 12-year-old child developed multiple cysts and widespread rashes. “He requires daily medication. Our doctor recommended installing an air purifier at home, but since the children play outside, it offers limited relief,” Gavas explained. He also noted that many children in the area suffer from rashes and eye redness.
His wife, Aasmi, added, “We haven’t opened our windows since moving in. A daily layer of cement dust accumulates on our balcony, necessitating constant cleaning.”
Senior citizen Rishab Mahadevan, residing in a nearby high-rise, expressed concerns about respiratory issues. “It’s a severe health hazard, especially for someone my age. Despite numerous complaints over the years, the BMC responded only once, without any subsequent action,” he lamented.
Cement Godown Operations
The Nahur goods station receives at least one 42-wagon train daily, delivering cement to various construction sites across the Mumbai metropolitan region. Approximately 200 trucks transport this cement each day. An official associated with the godown mentioned, “The station has been operational since the British era. The surrounding buildings were constructed only a few years ago.”
However, residents argue that the area’s transformation into a residential zone necessitates a reevaluation of such industrial activities. “Nahur is now officially a residential area. Continuing industrial-level operations poses significant health risks,” Mahadevan emphasized. He highlighted that numerous flats in the vicinity have windows facing the godown.
Environmental Impact
The trucks utilize a 400-meter unpaved service road connecting the godown to the Goregaon-Mulund Link Road. “This road has a three to four-inch layer of cement dust. Walking on it feels like traversing loose sand. It hasn’t been cleaned in over four years,” Mahadevan observed.
Exposure to cement dust is known to cause respiratory issues and skin problems. Studies have shown that inhaling cement particles can lead to chronic respiratory diseases and other health complications.
Authorities’ Response
Residents have lodged multiple complaints with the BMC, but responses have been minimal. An official complaint filed with the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board on January 24 by environmental activist Stalin Dayanand also went unanswered. The BMC responded to a related social media post, stating, “We have intimated the BMC Ward T to attend this.”
Discussions about concreting the service road have been ongoing without tangible results. An official at the godown indicated that tendering is complete, and work is expected to commence soon. Attempts to contact the Chief Public Relations Officer of Central Railway for comments were unsuccessful.
The situation underscores the pressing need for authorities to address environmental health hazards in residential areas. Implementing stricter regulations and ensuring timely responses to citizen complaints are essential steps toward safeguarding public health.
