Even as a portion of the Deonar dumping ground has been selected to rehabilitate those displaced by the Dharavi Redevelopment Project, a recent study has revealed that the area ranks among the most severely polluted zones in the country. The site is reportedly four times more toxic than permissible safety limits, based on toxicology indicators.
An analysis of the leachate—the liquid that drains from waste piles—at the Deonar landfill revealed extremely high levels of hazardous substances. This alarming data emerged from a study initiated in 2023 by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) as part of its first steps toward reclaiming the landfill. The study was conducted in collaboration with Netel India Ltd, NM Consultants, and SKW Soil & Survey.
According to the report, the waste at the landfill comprises a significant portion (30–50%) of inert and non-biodegradable materials. This poses significant challenges for waste disposal and management. The study further highlights that the levels of toxic indicators in the landfill exceed the limits set by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) by nearly four times.
Former IIT Bombay scientist Dr. Tuhin Banerjee emphasized that elevated levels of BOD (Biochemical Oxygen Demand), COD (Chemical Oxygen Demand), and TDS (Total Dissolved Solids) confirm that the area is critically polluted.
Rs 2,368 Crore Tender Issued for Cleanup
To tackle the mounting environmental hazard, the BMC has issued a tender worth Rs 2,368 crore for bio-mining processes to remove and treat the waste from the Deonar dumping ground.
6,200 Kilograms of Methane Produced Every Hour
According to the CPCB, the Deonar landfill emits approximately 6,200 kilograms of methane gas every hour, placing it among the top 22 methane emission hotspots in India. As per CPCB guidelines, there must be a minimum distance of 500 meters between Waste-to-Energy (WTE) plants and residential areas, along with a 100-meter no-development zone around the perimeter of the dumping ground.
The findings raise significant questions about public health and environmental safety, especially as plans proceed to resettle communities in this hazardous zone.
