Traders keep shops closed to protest against dumping ground in Ulhasnagar

ULHASNAGAR: The traders from Ulhasnagar's 5 number area on Friday kept their shops closed with locals and students protesting against dumping ground and they demanded its permanent closure from the area.
The protest remained peaceful and without affiliation of any political parties. However, question was raised over participation of thousands of school students in the protest.
Traders claimed that for seven years they are asking all party leaders for closure of dumping ground in area and shifting it to proposed site, but Ulhasnagar Municipal Corporation failed to do it.
During the protest, most of traders kept their shops closed and protested along with the locals.
During the rally, protestors accused that all parties were giving false assurance for the last seven years about shifting of the dumping ground causing inconvenience to citizens but they they failed to fulfil the promise.
Traders have decided that if Ulhasnagar Municipal Corporation and politicians fail to resolve issue then they will boycott upcoming elections.
In the rally students from different schools also participated claiming that the dumping ground was causing inconvenience to them as well.
Gopi Wadhwani, president of Ulhasnagar Garment Manufacturing Association (UGMA) said, "Seven years ago UMC started this dumping ground saying it will be temporary for 15 days, but later they did not close it and day by day it has become problematic for all citizens as well as traders living in 5 number. Sometimes it becomes difficult to even breath due to its foul smell”.
Jamir Lengrekar, Additional Municipal Commissioner of UMC said, "The state government have planned intergerated solid waste management for Ulhasnagar Municipal Corporation, Ambernath Municipal Council and Badlapur in Valivali village area at cost of Rs 148 crore and tendering process for same is under process".