Kanjurmarg Landfill Odor Complaints Drop to Zero in July After BMC Mitigation Measures
Odour-related complaints from the Kanjurmarg landfill, which borders Kannamwar Nagar and impacts nearby Bhandup and Vikhroli, dropped to zero in July following the implementation of strict mitigation measures ordered by the Bombay High Court. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) recorded a sharp decline from a peak of 811 complaints in February to none in July, despite the ongoing monsoon season when rainwater typically intensifies landfill odours.
According to BMC data, the civic body received 555 odour-related complaints in January, 811 in February, 616 in March, 435 in April, 320 in May, and 204 in June. The complete drop to zero complaints in July comes after the Bombay High Court directed the constitution of a monitoring committee earlier this year to curb the persistent stench.
Deputy Municipal Commissioner for Solid Waste Management Kiran Dighavkar attributed the improvement to several mitigation measures executed over the past six months. The BMC capped exposed waste mounds with soil to prevent solid waste from coming into contact with the atmosphere.
Additionally, the civic body deployed odour-neutralising chemicals and enzymes through misting systems to suppress emissions. Imported Tarpaumatic Covers were also deployed over the bioreactor landfill cells in accordance with the monitoring committee’s directions.
A member of the court-appointed monitoring committee stated that more than 16,000 trees and saplings have been planted at the site over the last one-and-a-half months, with the number expected to reach 25,000. These green buffers help slow wind speeds and disperse odorous air before it reaches residential areas.
The 144-hectare Kanjurmarg landfill receives approximately 6,100 metric tonnes of waste daily, representing about 86 per cent of Mumbai's daily waste generation. It has accumulated nearly 189 lakh metric tonnes of waste since becoming operational in 2011, with garbage mounds reaching heights of 40 to 50 metres.
Residents of Kannamwar Nagar had previously approached the High Court seeking the closure of the landfill due to persistent foul odours and respiratory issues.
While residents have noticed the reduction in smell, concerns remain. Sanjay Yelve, a Kannamwar Nagar resident and petitioner before the High Court, noted that while the foul smell has reduced, authorities must still focus on reducing methane emissions. This follows a report by the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) that classified the landfill among the world's top 25 methane hotspots.
Civic officials stated that shutting down the landfill is not practical due to the difficulty of finding an alternative 100-hectare site. The BMC’s long-term plans for the site include a waste-to-energy plant and a biomethanation facility.
