WR has concrete plans to end pollution from cement shed

Clearing the air on the matter of wholesale pollution from a shed located between Jogeshwari and Goregaon that's used to store cement sacks, Western Railway (WR) authorities say they finally have a long-term solution. Last week, senior WR officials visited the godown and inspected its operations. Sources have told MiD DAY that following this, a decision was made to improve the conditions of storage, which would not only create more space, but also cause minimal impact on the atmosphere.

A truck unloads cement bags at the shed between Jogeshwari and Goregaon. File pic

On May 21, MiD DAY had reported (‘Cement shed poses sack of woes for locals') the plight of locals, who were constantly exposed to cement particles in the air. "Even now, trucks carrying cement bags stand at the godown every day, and nothing much has changed. We only hope that the new plan helps us in someway," said Raman Jha, a resident of an adjacent building.

The trucks are normally parked close to a piece of land where green leafy vegetables are grown. Moreover, there are residential buildings right next to the shed. Perpetual exposure to such impurities in the air can lead to breathing problems. Typically, patients with a history of respiratory disorders suffer the most, as cement particles are known to trigger asthma and cardiovascular ailments. Residents claim that they had written letters to Maharashtra Pollution Control Board in the past.

The plan
WR officials claim they have handed over the shed to the rail division of Central Warehousing Corporation (CWC). "We expect the pollution and congestion caused by so many of these cement bags being unloaded here to come down, once it undergoes changes. Presently, there have been several complaints about it," said a WR representative.

This will also help the railway handle more rakes of goods trains that would carry not only cement, but also essential commodities like food grains. Currently, a private shed at Kandivli is used for storage of such items that are brought here by trains. "Adequate storage facility will come up in future and that shall also help in safekeeping of other important merchandise," said Shailendra Kumar, divisional railway manager (Mumbai), WR. Rail authorities expect to complete a substantial part of the work before monsoon in 2014.