Thane’s so-called Smart City status is under threat as residents battle a growing garbage crisis. Heaps of uncollected waste are accumulating across major roads and residential areas, causing serious health and sanitation concerns. Despite repeated complaints, waste collection services remain erratic, leaving citizens frustrated.
For months, garbage collection in Thane has been irregular, leading to severe sanitation issues in key areas such as Ghodbunder Road, M K College Road, Manisha Nagar, Wagle Estate, and local markets. Residents are forced to endure the foul stench, unhygienic conditions, and rising health risks. Shopkeepers and business owners are also feeling the impact, reporting a decline in footfall due to the worsening conditions. The uncollected garbage has led to pest infestations, blocked footpaths, and a rise in rodent populations.
“The situation in Wagle Estate is deteriorating rapidly. The increasing number of rodents is making the area unlivable,” said Ramesh Lalwani, a grocer in the locality. “Children pass through these garbage-ridden streets daily, putting them at serious health risks. Despite numerous complaints, no action has been taken.”
The crisis escalated further after a fire broke out at the C P Talao dumping site on March 12, disrupting waste segregation and disposal operations. This incident, combined with logistical challenges and space shortages, has severely impacted garbage collection across the city.
Thane generates over 1,000 tonnes of waste daily, which is initially sent to the C P Talao garbage transfer station before being transported to the Atkoli landfill in Bhiwandi. However, existing landfills at Diaghar and Gaimukh are already overwhelmed, and the proposed 35-acre landfill in Bhiwandi has been delayed due to tendering issues, exacerbating the crisis.
In response, the Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC) has launched an emergency waste transfer operation, deploying extra vehicles in three shifts to clear the backlog at C P Talao and move waste to the Atkoli landfill. So far, approximately 7,000 metric tons of garbage have been shifted.
“Precautionary measures, such as fragrance-spraying and soil layering at Atkoli, are being implemented to control odour and maintain hygiene,” said a TMC public relations officer. “Municipal Commissioner Saurabh Rao is personally overseeing the clean-up efforts, and instructions have been issued to ensure the immediate resumption of door-to-door garbage collection.”
Dr. Veena Kawalkar, a resident of Ghodbunder Road, expressed her concerns about the growing crisis. “In just three to four days of missed waste collection, large societies with thousands of residents are left with no option but to dump garbage on the roads. This is causing traffic congestion and making footpaths inaccessible,” she said.
Kawalkar also emphasized the need for stricter waste disposal regulations by the TMC. “When granting occupation certificates to housing societies, the TMC should mandate in-house waste management systems, especially for large residential complexes. Societies must have backup disposal solutions to prevent waste from being dumped on roads.”
As the crisis unfolds, residents are urging authorities to implement long-term waste management solutions to prevent a recurrence of such issues in the future.
