Mumbai's fragrant dumping grounds

Residents staying in the vicinity of Deonar and Mulund dumping grounds in Mumbai can breathe easy now as the municipality plans to use deodorant-cum-insect repellents at the grounds. Complaints about the dumping yard from residents prompted the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to resort to use of the repellents, which is believed to minimise foul smell, create pleasant aroma and repel insects in the vicinity of the dumping yards. The spray is herbal and oil-based.

A proposal to this effect was tabled before the standing committee on August 29. The Deonar and Mulund dumping grounds receive more than 9,000 metric tonnes of solid waste daily. The dumpyards cause foul smell and unhygienic conditions. Since both dumping grounds had residential colonies around then, BMC had met with several demands from residents to shut down the two sites.

Accurate Hydraulics Pvt Ltd will supply more than 200 litres of the repellent per day for 180 days.The repellent for both the grounds will cost the BMC around Rs 47 lakh.