Ahmedabad: Toxic waste dumped on farmland

AHMEDABAD: It’s no more a question of Whodunnit, but who’ll clear the mess? Since July 19, bureaucratic red tape is allowing tonnes of highly toxic acidic waste, allegedly dumped by factories of industrial clusters around Ahmedabad to lie strewn over large parts of a farm in Rasam village in Bavla taluka, a few kilometres from Ahmedabad city.

Scientific officer of Gujarat Pollution Control Board (GPCB) Dr Pradip Dave, in his statement to the Bavla police has said, “The waste is harmful to the environment and may endanger human life.” A visit to this farm will reveal existence of a well-organized racket. For many months, channels were dug and pumps installed to empty untreated toxic industrial effluents from tanker-trucks into various pools secured by mud embankments. GPCB officials claim that the toxic waste was being processed to be used as fuel for industrial boilers. Fluid from the toxic pools now trickle into nesting sites of migratory birds posing a grave danger for wildlife.

On July 19, Bavla police received a tip-off that three men — Ramanji Thakor, a truck driver, and his two cleaners — Muman Sulia and Manuji Thakor, all from Patan, had dumped hazardous waste near a brick klin in Rasam village.
Cops immediately informed GPCB, which sent a team to the spot, took samples and found that 70 drums of 200 litres each, and 15 sacks of around 1 tonne of toxic waste had been dumped at the spot.
“The court has already ordered clearing of the mess. What worries locals is that this toxic chemical may seep into groundwater and pose serious threats. The GPCB should clear the mess first,” says a farmer Praful Mehta from Bavla area. Senior GPCB officials claim, “The waste has to be disposed of scientifically or incinerated. But we suspect this was an organized racket. A few accused in the case have got bail.”
Meanwhile, local police claim that GPCB is to clear the mess, and have posted three constables to prevent trespassing into the farm and tampering with the toxic evidence.