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{{shortShort description|Landfill site in Mumbai, India}}
{{Use Indian English|date=June 2013}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=MarchJuly 20132022}}
{{Coord|19.0671|72.9197|region:IN_typeIN-MH_type:landmark|display=title}}
 
The '''Deonar dumping ground''' is a waste dumping ground or [[landfill]] in the city of [[Mumbai]]. Located in [[DeonarShivaji Nagar]], an eastern suburb of the city, it is India's oldest and largest<ref>{{cite news|first=Shweta|last=Desai|place=Mumbai|date=3 November 2008|title=Deonar dump ready for Rs 5000-cr makeover|url=http://www.indianexpress.com/news/deonar-dump-ready-for-rs-5000cr-makeover/381165/|accessdate=26 March 2012|newspaper=[[The Indian Express]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Jawdekar|first=Prachi|title=Mumbai scam: Rs. 2600 crore for services that are free|url=http://www.ndtv.com/article/cities/mumbai-scam-rs-2600-crore-for-services-that-are-free-41901|accessdate=26 March 2012|newspaper=[[NDTV]]|date=5 August 2010}}</ref> dumping ground, set up in 1927.<ref>{{cite news|title=Activists withdraw PIL on dumping ground|url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-03-28/mumbai/29353701_1_scientific-closure-deonar-solid-waste-management|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120707094441/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-03-28/mumbai/29353701_1_scientific-closure-deonar-solid-waste-management|url-status=dead|archive-date=7 July 2012|accessdate=23 March 2012|newspaper=[[The Times of India]]|date=23 March 2012}}</ref><ref name=dna1/><ref name=mirror1/><ref>{{cite news|title=BMC in the dock over toxic gases at Deonar dump|url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2008-11-26/mumbai/27922067_1_deonar-bmc-smoke-affected-residents-forum|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120702021009/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2008-11-26/mumbai/27922067_1_deonar-bmc-smoke-affected-residents-forum|url-status=dead|archive-date=2 July 2012|accessdate=24 March 2012|newspaper=[[The Times of India]]|date=26 November 2008|place=Mumbai}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Sayed|first=Nazia|title=Gang attacks deonar docs|url=http://m.mumbaimirror.com/index.aspx?Page=article&sectname=News%20-%20City&sectid=2&contentid=2009120820091208031522107c1c12665|accessdate=24 March 2012|newspaper=[[Mumbai Mirror]]|date=8 December 2009|place=Mumbai}}</ref> The dumping ground is managed by the city's civic body, [[Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation]] (also known as Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai), which also manages two other dumping ground in the city; one in the neighbourhood of [[Mulund]] and one recently opened in [[Kanjurmarg]].
 
The [[Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation|Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC)]] on 6 August moved a proposal before the state environment department seeking environment clearance for its proposed [[waste-to-energy]] (WTE) plant at the Deonar dumping ground. The BMC's proposal has been accepted by the state environment impact assessment authority (SEIAA) and is currently under examination by the state-level expert appraisal committee (EAC).
 
== Geography ==
[[File:Eastern Express Highway Mumbai May 2023.jpg|250px|thumb|Deonar dumping ground seen behind the [[Eastern Express Highway]].]]
 
The dumping ground extends over 132 hectares and receives 5,500 [[metric tonnes]] of waste, 600 metric tonnes of silt and 25 tonnes of bio-medical waste daily.<ref name=mirror2/> Between March and June the daily amount of silt rises to more than 9,000 metric tonnes because of drain cleaning in advance of the [[monsoon]] season.<ref name=dna1>{{cite news|title=45% of Deonar dumping ground to be cleared by May|url=http://www.dnaindia.com/mumbai/report_45pct-of-deonar-dumping-ground-to-be-cleared-by-may_1525207|accessdate=23 March 2012|newspaper=[[Daily News and Analysis|DNA India]]|date=28 March 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=45% of Deonar dumping ground to be cleared by May|url=http://news.inchembur.com/2011/03/28/45-of-deonar-dumping-ground-to-be-cleared-by-may/|work=23 March 2012|publisher=inchembur.com|accessdate=24 March 2012}}</ref>
 
The dump rises to around 114&nbsp;ft. high. However, in February 2012, [[Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai]] sought permission from the [[Airport Authority of India]] (AAI) to increase this to around 164&nbsp;ft.<ref>{{cite news|title=Mumbail locals ‘raise’'raise' stink over Deonar dump height|url=http://www.dnaindia.com/mumbai/report_mumbail-locals-raise-stink-over-deonar-dump-height_1662544|accessdate=24 March 2012|newspaper=[[Daily News and Analysis|DNA India]]|place=Mumbai|date=15 March 2012}}</ref> As of December 2014, the waste had reached the height of an 18-storeyed tower.<ref>{{cite news|author1=Kunal Purohit|author2=Poorvi Kulkarni|title=Maximum city, maximum garbage|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/mumbai/maximum-city-maximum-garbage/article1-1296569.aspx|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141215013822/http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/mumbai/maximum-city-maximum-garbage/article1-1296569.aspx|url-status=dead|archive-date=15 December 2014|accessdate=1 January 2015|work=[[Hindustan Times]]|date=14 December 2014}}</ref>
 
There is another old dumping ground in [[Mulund]] in the north-eastern part of the city, where about 2,000 metric tonnes of garbage are dumped daily.<ref name=mirror2>{{cite news|last=Suryawanshi|first=Sudhir|title=Soon, city will have no place to dump trash|url=http://www.mumbaimirror.com/article/2/2010113020101130020441390a32bd9d9/Soon-city-will-have-no-place-to-dump-trash.html|accessdate=23 March 2012|newspaper=[[Mumbai Mirror]]|date=30 November 2010|place=Mumbai|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130401081227/http://www.mumbaimirror.com/article/2/2010113020101130020441390a32bd9d9/Soon-city-will-have-no-place-to-dump-trash.html|archive-date=1 April 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref> In March 2015, a new dumping site was opened in the city by the [[Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation|city's civic body]] in [[Kanjurmarg]] which happens to be the first dumping site which is processed scientifically.<ref>{{cite news|author1=Tanushree Venkatraman|title=Dumping grounds: Will shut only Mulund dump yard, says BMC |url=http://indianexpress.com/article/cities/mumbai/dumping-grounds-will-shut-only-mulund-dump-yard-says-bmc/|accessdate=24 October 2015|work=The Indian Express|date=3 September 2015}}</ref>
 
== Health issues ==
[[File:Mumbai oli 2016028.jpg|thumb|NASA Image: Smoke from the fire which broke out on 28 Jan 2016 at the Deonar dumping ground, Mumbai<ref>{{cite news|title=Fire Burns in Mumbai Landfill|url=http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/IOTD/view.php?id=87429&src=eorss-iotd|accessdate=18 March 2016|date=28 JanJanuary 2016|location=Mumbai}}</ref>]]
 
The Deonar dumping ground has caused health issues for the residents from Mumbai's neighbourhood of [[Chembur]], [[Govandi]] and [[Mankhurd]].<ref name=dna1/> Recurrent fires at the dump have caused conditions unfit for habitation for residents of the adjacent area.<ref>{{cite news|last=Kulkarni|first=Poorvi|title=Deonar dump smoke makes locals Fume|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/India-news/Mumbai/Deonar-dump-smoke-makes-locals-Fume/Article1-820862.aspx|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150101153118/http://www.hindustantimes.com/India-news/Mumbai/Deonar-dump-smoke-makes-locals-Fume/Article1-820862.aspx|url-status=dead|archive-date=1 January 2015|accessdate=23 March 2012|newspaper=[[Hindustan Times]]|place=Mumbai|date=5 March 2012}}</ref> In 2008, around 40 residents of Chembur went on a hunger strike to protest against the frequent fires and smoke.<ref>{{cite news|title=Residents protest fire at Deonar dumping ground|url=http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/residents-protest-fire-at-deonar-dumping-ground/288102/|archive-url=https://archive.istoday/20120731021653/http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/residents-protest-fire-at-deonar-dumping-ground/288102/|url-status=dead|archive-date=31 July 2012|accessdate=23 March 2012|newspaper=[[The Indian Express]]|date=25 March 2008}}</ref> Again in 2012, Chembur residents complained to the [[Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai]] about the smoke coming out of the dumping ground, which has been affecting [[asthma]] patients.<ref>{{cite news|title=Chembur residents fume over smoke from Deonar dumping ground|url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-05-18/mumbai/31764530_1_kanjurmarg-major-fire-deonar|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120715172402/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-05-18/mumbai/31764530_1_kanjurmarg-major-fire-deonar|url-status=dead|archive-date=15 July 2012|accessdate=18 May 2012|newspaper=[[The Times of India]]|date=18 May 2012|author=[[Times News Network]]|author-link=Times News Network|location=Mumbai}}</ref> In 2015, neighbourhood surrounding to the dumping ground was identified as the city's most polluted area.<ref>{{cite news|author1=Richa Pinto|title=Chembur city’scity's most polluted suburb, thanks to dump fires and industries in neighbourhood|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/Chembur-citys-most-polluted-suburb-thanks-to-dump-fires-and-industries-in-neighbourhood/articleshow/49510779.cms|accessdate=24 October 2015|work=The Times of India|date=23 October 2015}}</ref> Another fire broke out at the Deonar dumping ground in January 2016 causing the [[Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation]] (BMC) to shut down 74 schools run by it for two days, as the smoke from the ground veiled the area causing breathing difficulties.<ref>{{cite news|title=Deonar dump fire chokes suburbs; smog across city|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/Deonar-dump-fire-chokes-suburbs-smog-across-city/articleshow/50762897.cms|accessdate=2 February 2016|date=28 January 2016|location=Mumbai}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Smog from dumping ground fire shuts down 74 schools in Mumbai|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/mumbai/smog-from-dumping-ground-fire-shuts-down-74-schools-in-mumbai/story-L2HqUMVUV8JHdOYEju9AXJ.html|accessdate=30 January 2016|date=28 January 2016|location=Mumbai}}</ref>
 
[[Infant mortality]] has also been a concern in the nearby areas; as the rate stands at 60-80 per 1000 live births, which is double the average of 35.2 for the entire city.<ref>{{cite news|title=Govandi residents raise a stink, CM vows solution to Deonar deadlock|url=http://www.dnaindia.com/mumbai/report-govandi-residents-raise-a-stink-cm-vows-solution-to-deonar-deadlock-1948987|accessdate=1 January 2015|date=11 January 2014|location=Mumbai}}</ref>
 
== Potential closure ==
In August 2008, it was reported that after receiving complaints from and pollution from the dump, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) had decided to close down a section of the dumping ground and use it to generate 7 to 8 [[Megawatts|MW]] of power by [[methane]] extraction, adding {{INRConvert|400|m}} to BMC’sBMC's revenue.<ref name=mirror1>{{cite news|title=65 acres of Deonar dumping ground to be closed down|url=http://www.mumbaimirror.com/article/2/20080815200808150321069084bbaa12e/65-acres-of-Deonar-dumping-ground-to-be-closed-down.html|accessdate=24 March 2012|newspaper=[[Mumbai Mirror]]|date=15 August 2008|place=Mumbai|last=Suryawanshi|first=Sudhir|archive-url=https://archive.istoday/20130129073141/http://www.mumbaimirror.com/article/2/20080815200808150321069084bbaa12e/65-acres-of-Deonar-dumping-ground-to-be-closed-down.html|archive-date=29 January 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref> A few months later, BMC granted a contract for the scientific partial closure of the dumping ground for {{INRConvert|7.04|b}}. Partial closing was to take place in two phases, 65 hectares in the first phase, and in the second phase construction of a processing plant and sanitary landfill on the remaining 55 hectares.<ref>{{cite news|last=Desai|first=Geeta|title=BMC mulls record Rs 704 cr contract to close part of Deonar dump yard|url=http://www.mumbaimirror.com/article/2/200811102008111002201373673d63e46/BMC-mulls-record-Rs-704-cr-contract-to-close-part-of-Deonar-dump-yard.html|accessdate=23 March 2012|newspaper=[[Mumbai Mirror]]|date=10 November 2008|place=Mumbai|archive-url=https://archive.istoday/20120911205305/http://www.mumbaimirror.com/article/2/200811102008111002201373673d63e46/BMC-mulls-record-Rs-704-cr-contract-to-close-part-of-Deonar-dump-yard.html|archive-date=11 September 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref>
 
Saumya Roy's book "Mountain Tales: Love and Loss in the Municipality of Castaway Belongings" provides a picture of some of the people whose lives and work are focused on the Deonar dump and it relates some of the attempts which have been made to close the site.<ref>{{cite book | title = Mountain Tales: Love and Loss in the Municipality of Castaway Belongings | date=2021| first =Saumya | last = Roy | isbn= 9781788165365 |publisher =Profile Books | access-date = 15 August 2024 | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=aLEEEAAAQBAJ }}</ref>
 
==See also==
* [[Bhalswa landfill]]
 
== References ==
{{Reflist|colwidth=33em}}
 
[[Category:Environment of Maharashtra]]