Mumbai: Jewellery items made up of gold, silver, diamond, pearl etc are always subjected to praise as they represent a symbol of social status and even femininity.
It is also very true that ornaments radiate the inner beauty of both the genders. But have you ever thought about the manufactures? Under what circumstances and state of affairs they artistically curve the precious metals giving them a right shape.
Mumbai, the biggest metropolis and the financial capital of India, is one of the leading manufacturers and exporters of fine jewelleries. Alone in the Bhuleshwar and Kalbadevi vicinity of the city, there are nearly 30,000 jewellery factories functioning at different levels. These factories emit harmful components in air like sulfuric and nitrate acid proving to be curse for the people living in the surroundings.
Most people here are today suffering from chronic disease like asthama as they are easily exposed to dangerous gases or vapours released by factories.
Be it a kid or an adult, every citizen in the region is bound to inhale polluted air. This has become a part of their daily lifestyle since they don't have any alternative to earn their livelihood, except these factories.
Hansa Ben, one of the victim, said that she finds it very difficult to go outside of her home because of the polluted environment.
“This is because of the poisonous air... I can't walk outside. I have stopped going to the terrace,” the old lady said.
Hansa is not the only victim of this toxic air. There are many sufferers... People in the vicinity are more dependent on medicines than food to earn a healthy lifestyle.
Respiratory diseases like asthma, bronchitis, cough, eye irritation are very common here. Local say that the toxic chemicals released into the air by the gold and silver factories are the only reasons for their woes.
Some people send their children to other places to keep them out of this danger.
“People are suffering from acute asthma... My kids are not here. They don't stay with me because of this only. I have moved them to other place. There was a time when this place was a residential zone, but now it has become fully commercial. We have also lodged several complaints,” a resident said.
“I am suffering from asthma. I am completely dependent on medicine now... My eyes were operated thrice,” another resident said.
Locals said that factories starts emitting smoke in open at 6 in the morning and it continue till 2 in night.
“We live in a cage. We can't breathe in open,” a local alleges.
Chandrika Soni, a local, succumbed to asthma six months ago. Chandrika's daughter-in-law, Nina Soni, said that her mother-in-law was suffering from asthma and she departed from this world because of the poisonous environment around.
“My mother-in-law was a patient of asthma from last 10-12 years. It was very difficult for her to survive in this environment,” Nina said.
People said that they had made several appeals with the concerned authorities but pleas were not heeded.
In the 5-km radius, there are 30,000 factories and they use acid for polishing and refining the metals or jewelleries.
Factories are not new here... but in last two decades, the numbers of such factories have gone up drastically in order to meet the market demand.
“This is a hub of jewelleries from last 200 years. The methods applied here are very old and they use acid for polishing gold,” a merchant said.
Gold ornaments are dipped into boiling acid for 4-5 hours. During this process, harmful gases are emitted by the yellow metal.
An artisan said, “Black gold is kept inside acid... Gradually it becomes yellow. It takes 5 hours for polishing.”
As a result, people are mobilising from here to another safer place. Nearly 70 per cent population of Nar Narayan Mandir Society in Kalbadevi have shifted to suburban areas.
“People lost almost everything in fight against pollution and administration. We are still hopeful of a positive outcome,” a resident said.
In 2009, the Environment Department of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) had conducted a survey. It was found that the level of Respirable Suspended Particulate Matter (RSPM) is very high.
The Maharashtra Pollution Control Board and National Environment Engineer Research Institute had also inspected the region and found that several companies are violating the guidelines need to be adopted for functioning and also to control pollution.
Despite of these observations, the administration has not taken any affirmative action in the welfare on people.
Devendra Shah of Bhuleshwar Residents Association said, “We are fighting from last 12 years. No one is listening to our grievances and understanding the intensity of the critical issue. We have met the officials of fire brigade, pollution control board, district collector, Mayor and even four misters of the state government... No is ready to listen us and address out concerns.”
In 2005, KEM Hospital has conducted a health survey. 55 per cent residents, according to the survey report, are suffering from asthma or some respiratory disease.
Snehal Ambekar, the current Mayor of Mumbai, said, “The present situation is very critical. We will study this and direct the concerned officials to look into the matter sincerely.”
Ramdas Kadam, Environment Minister in Devendra Fadnavis Cabinet, said, “It has come to my attention. The government is looking into the issue.”
In 2001, 24 people were killed when a cylinder exploded inside a factory in Fofalwadi in Bhuleshwar. The incident had taken place in between of the work.
