Thane civic body to keep 24-hour patrolling to combat debris dumping in district

TMC chief during a meeting. Pic/TMC

To safeguard the green cover and forested area in Thane district of Maharashtra, the Thane Municipal Commissioner Saurabh Rao has announced the deployment of round-the-clock patrolling at all entry points to the city to prevent illegal debris dumping, an official statement said on Thursday.

The initiative aims to ensure the conservation and promotion of these sensitive forest areas within the Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC) jurisdiction.

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During a review meeting on Wednesday, Saurabh Rao highlighted the importance of protecting these forests and instructed the Assistant Commissioner to prevent any debris from being dumped in the Kandalvan area, the statement said.

"Authorized dumping permits will be required for debris to be transported outside the TMC area. Rao also ordered immediate patrolling at key entry points such as Anandnagar and Mulund checkpoints, with staff changes to maintain vigilance," the civic body said.

According to Chief Environment Officer Manisha Pradhan, TMC is responsible for Kandhalvan protection and the corresponding police measures. Delineating a 50-meter buffer zone from the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) boundary will get particular attention, and the Assistant Commissioner will have the authority to enforce these measures, according to the statement.

It is the responsibility of the Environment Department to make sure that no unapproved buildings are constructed in the Kandalvan area. In cooperation with the District Magistrate's office, the CRZ boundary will be drawn. Rao emphasized that in order to provide precise delineation, prompt, scripture-based measuring is required.

To address flooding concerns in Kandhalvan, especially during the monsoon season, Saurabh Rao instructed immediate action at Kharegaon Toll Plaza and ensured the necessary water supply to the forest complex. He called for a coordinated effort among all relevant agencies to manage these challenges effectively, the civic body's statement said.

The Diva dumping ground closure and the ongoing tender process for bio-mining were also discussed. Saurabh Rao directed the Solid Waste and Public Works Departments to implement temporary measures to prevent water runoff from debris during the rainy season, the statement said.

Dayanand Stalin, a member of the Konkan Divisional Kandhalvan and Panthal Jaga Conservation and Promotion Committee, raised concerns about encroachments in Kandhalvan and highlighted the need for stringent measures to protect the forest land.