Navi Mumbai: Acting on persistent complaints of a strong chemical odour in Digha since August 7, the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) and Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) officials seized a tanker carrying hazardous chemicals during a midnight patrol.
Residents of Green World Society and Ramnagar had reported health discomfort due to the stench, prompting suspicion that unknown persons were releasing chemicals into local drains. Joint teams from the police, Airoli fire brigade, MPCB, and NMMC’s environment department began inspections and collected water samples from drains near Green World Society for testing.
The surveillance operation continued nightly, with MPCB officers Sachin Adkar, Sachin Desai, and Deshmukh, along with NMMC junior engineer Ajinkya Patil and Digha division officials, conducting spot checks. During questioning, residents informed officials that a tanker was discharging chemicals into a drain near Neva Garden Society in Airoli.
"At around 1:00 a.m. on August 11, officials intercepted a suspicious tanker near Mukund Company Gate opposite Digha station. Upon inspection, the tanker was found carrying foul-smelling, harmful chemicals, confirmed through litmus paper testing. Police were alerted via helpline 112, and the scene was panchanama-ed in the presence of Assistant Commissioner Nainesh Badle, MPCB officers, and local residents as witnesses," said an officer from NMMC.
Chemical samples were sent to MPCB and NMMC laboratories for analysis, NMMC said. Police have registered a case, and further investigation is underway.
