Wed May 14 02:18:06 UTC 2025: Here’s a summary and a news article rewrite of the provided text:

**Summary:**

Residents and activists in Govandi, Mumbai, are protesting the proposed waste-to-energy (WtE) plant at the Deonar dumping ground. They fear the plant will worsen air quality, exacerbate existing health problems like TB and asthma, and further shorten life expectancy in the already vulnerable population. Concerns center around the lack of waste segregation and the potential release of harmful pollutants, despite BMC’s assurances of environmental safety. They demand a halt to the project until a comprehensive environmental impact assessment and health studies are conducted.

**News Article:**

**Mumbai Residents Protest Proposed Waste-to-Energy Plant, Citing Health and Environmental Risks**

**MUMBAI – May 14, 2025** – Residents of Govandi, a densely populated area near Mumbai’s Deonar dumping ground, are fiercely opposing a proposed waste-to-energy (WtE) plant, fearing it will jeopardize their health and the environment. The ₹2,648 crore project, slated to be built by Chennai MSW Pvt Ltd, aims to process 1,800 tonnes of waste daily and generate eight megawatts of electricity. However, residents argue that the plant will release toxic emissions, worsening air quality and aggravating respiratory illnesses already prevalent in the area.

“The prevalence of TB and asthma is already high here,” said Zakir, a 25-year resident of Baiganwadi. “Adding another pollutant-heavy project is dangerous.” Residents like Zakir fear emissions will cause further respiratory distress.

Concerns are centered around the lack of proper waste segregation at the Deonar dumping ground. “Deonar’s waste is a toxic mix of wet, dry, plastic, and even biomedical material,” explained Aditya, a local resident. “Without proper segregation, how can this project work without causing harm?”

Legal action has been taken by Bombay High Court lawyer Abid Abbas Sayyed on behalf of concerned citizens. He has filed objections with the BMC and the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB), citing potential violations of the Solid Waste Management Rules and raising concerns about the release of carcinogens and other harmful substances.

While the BMC assures the plant will meet environmental standards, residents remain skeptical, pointing to past failures in managing waste facilities in the area. Many residents remember problems with existing sites and question how they can trust the same agencies [MPCB and BMC].

Citizens are demanding a stay on the project pending a thorough Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and medical studies in Govandi. They argue that the project poses unacceptable risks to a community already burdened with poor health outcomes and environmental hazards. A Right to Information (RTI) request has also been filed to access the clearance documentation and environmental reports related to the plant.

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