Residents want permanent solution to waste burning issue in New Town
Times of India | 7 April 2025
123 Kolkata: Debris and other waste, including plastic, is frequently found to be burned along the canal bank road close to Biswa Bangla Convention Centre at Jatragachi in New Town, causing severe air pollution in the area. The fire brigade does come and douse the fire when alerted, but locals want a permanent solution to the problem.
Waste burning was noticed several times in the past month, and locals are fretting over the matter. Residents of adjacent housing complexes are planning to submit a mass memorandum to the New Town Kolkata Development Authority (NKDA) on the matter.
"This has almost become a regular nuisance. Garbage is being dumped at the place in the night, and the heap of waste is set on fire at any time of the day. The matter was informed to NKDA authorities several times, but the nuisance continues, creating severe air pollution. We are now planning to place a mass memorandum to the authorities on the matter," said Santanu Sarkar, a resident of Sunrise Greens housing complex.
"Garbage dump could be seen along the canal side stretch. Waste burning is causing serious problems, and this must be restricted," said Pulak De, secretary of New Town BE Block Resident Welfare Association.
"At a time when we are fighting climate change and severe air pollution, we cannot simply afford to create emissions from waste burning. This issue has been persisting for long, causing severe air pollution and serious health hazard to the residents. The authorities must look into the matter," said Biswajit Majumdar, a resident of Eastern High complex.
Environment experts are warning that prolonged release of such toxic substances could increase the risk of potential health hazards. "Uncontrolled burning of waste and debris in parts of New Town is releasing a cocktail of hazardous pollutants, including fine particulate matter, carbon monoxide and other toxic compounds in the air. This is not only deteriorating air quality but also increasing public health risks, specially among the vulnerable populations. Urgent and effective interventions in waste management and strict regulatory enforcement are needed to mitigate these environmental and health impacts,' said environment scientist Swati Nandi Chakraborty.
NKDA officials said that they would need to look into whether the canal side place where waste and debris is being dumped indiscriminately and burned afterwards falls within their jurisdiction or not.
"One side of the canal stretch falls within NKDA jurisdiction, while the other end is under panchayat area. Most of the waste and debris is dumped at the panchayat jurisdiction side of the canal. In the long run, the plan is to transport the entire waste to the waste processing plants which will be set up. As for preventing waste or stubble burning, there are standing instructions, including sending fire tenders to douse fire whenever such nuisance is detected and alerted," said an official.