Last year, the UN highlighted the growing hazards of mismanaged and illegally dumped e-waste. As the reports began to surface, developing countries such as India were pinpointed as locations where the issue was becoming increasingly problematic.
The growing accumulation of e-waste is finally being addressed within the nation. Mumbai will become home to a specialised site able to reprocess more than 11,000 tonnes of e-waste that is being generated within the city each year. The plant will be built in a nearby suburb of the large metropolis.
According to studies, processing the e-waste directly within the city centre, which is currently done by several smaller establishments, has led to the emission of heavy metals and hazardous dioxins. The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has now said that reprocessing of such items must take place outside the city to prevent residents from being exposed to such pollutants.
Currently major areas that reprocessing occur within the city include Dharavi, Wire Lane in Andheri, Safed, Saki Naka, Don Taki, Kurla, Mankhurd and Shastri Nagar. According to the joint project director for MMRDA, Dilip Kawathkar, the body will use the scientific method approach to recycling e-waste. He added that this will not only provide an income for the city, but will also keep harmful pollutants away from residents and the city’s water and clean air sources.
Mr Kawathkar further added that bidding will be opened for the reprocessing plant during September. The organising body hopes that construction will begin before the close of this year.
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