Neta: Illegal fake jewellery factories causing pollution

Mumbai: Concerns have been raised over a large number of imitation jewellery manufacturing units operating in slum pockets across Mumbai without the requisite licences as well as over their use of hazardous chemicals, such as nitric acid and sulphuric acid.A corporator, who raised the issue at BMC's general body meeting on Monday, said these toxic and corrosive chemicals pose a serious threat to human health. He said chemical waste is often discharged into open drains, leading to significant air and water pollution and adversely affecting the health of residents living in the vicinity. The pollution generated by plating factories, he said, poses a grave risk to Mumbaikars.NCP's Ajit Raorane, who sought an urgent discussion after raising the issue, said numerous illegal imitation jewellery and electroplating units are operating across the city. Seeking urgent action, he said these units are endangering public health and safety.According to Raorane, many of these workshops function openly in residential areas without municipal licences or registrations allegedly with the collusion of civic officials. He said the units use hazardous chemicals such as nitric acid, sulphuric acid and cyanide compounds for electroplating—substances that can cause severe burns, respiratory damage and even death."These units discharge chemical waste into open drains, contributing to significant air and water pollution. Residents living near such facilities have reported rising cases of respiratory illnesses and other chronic health conditions," Raorane said. He also questioned the enforcement role of Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB).Raorane alleged that these units rely on high quality water for their processes, which is sourced through illegal connections from municipal pipelines. "Staff from the civic hydraulic engineering department facilitate such illegal water supply lines, leading to large-scale water theft," he claimed. He added that these units are spread across areas such as Malwani, Kandivli, Malad and Dahisar. He alleged that workers at one such unit in Malad East's Pathanwadi used acid during a brawl.Raorane further claimed that chemicals discharged into drains may corrode drinking water pipelines, posing an additional public health risk.BMC additional commissioner Ashwini Joshi told TOI that the civic administration has been taking action against such units and has disconnected water supply to several of them. Civic officials said that more units will be identified and action will be taken accordingly.
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