Navi Mumbai: A sense of panic and discomfort swept across the Juinagar area late Sunday night as residents were overwhelmed by a strong chemical stench that lingered in the air from around 10:15 PM.
The unbearable odour reportedly caused throat irritation, breathing difficulties, and unease among locals, raising serious concerns about air quality and public health.
According to residents, the source of the stench appeared to be chemical emissions, though the exact origin remains unidentified. Initial speculation of a gas leak prompted several residents to reach out to Mahanagar Gas, which later confirmed that no leak or incident had occurred on their end.
The foul odour, which persisted through the night, left many waking up to symptoms such as dry throats, coughing, and respiratory discomfort. Fearing the release of toxic gases or illegal chemical discharge into the drainage system, citizens have now appealed to the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) to investigate the incident and take stringent action against any company found responsible.
In a letter submitted to the MPCB’s Raigad Bhavan office in CBD Belapur, residents stressed that this is not an isolated incident and that pollution levels in the area have been rising alarmingly. They warned that if immediate action is not taken, they will be forced to organize a protest march to demand accountability from the authorities.
“Public health cannot be compromised. If regulatory bodies do not act swiftly, we will take to the streets,” a local resident stated. As of now, the MPCB has not issued an official response. Residents continue to await clarity and action as concerns grow over recurring pollution hazards in the Juinagar locality.
