Ambernath citizens spend their DIWALI in protesting against their never ending issues of their city

While the whole country celebrated diwali with their family & friends yesterday, citizens from Ambernath (Maharashtra) chose to come out on streets and raise their voices against the never ending issues of their city.


Citizens seen protesting near Ambernath station
road, b cabin road (east).

Citizens are fed up with issues of bad roads, polluted air due to smoke from chemical factories & dumping ground, polluted water, arrogance of auto rickshaw drivers, traffic issues etc. So today, on eve of Deepavali; Citizens instead of celebrating festival took to the streets and protested mainly against Ambernath Municipal Council (AMC) & Maharastra Pollution Control Board (MPCB).

Smoke seen at Nisarg Greens. Ambernath east

Previou evening to the protest (06.11.2018) ACF members were having a meeting with few residents of Nisarg Greens; they found the entire residential complex of Nisarg was covered with smoke. Residents said they are facing this issue from past few weeks. They confirmed their presence in protest for the next day.
Later ACF members visited Vishwajeet Meadows and found that very foul smell (which seemed to be of sulphur di oxide) was coming in the entire area and also they were facing irritation in eyes. 1 of the ACF members immediately called up Thane Disaster Management Cell (022-25301740) and complained regarding the current situation. The person on the call said they have received similar complaints in the past and are aware of it. He said he will make a note of it and pass on to concerned department. Few members from Vishwajeet Meadows were present and they said they will come next day. ACF members got late to reach Bapu Residency (which is closest to Morivili MIDC). It was almost 11 pm & they couldn't meet anyone there. But they could see smoke coming from one of the factories.

Morivili MIDC. Photo taken from residential building's terrace

which is hardly few meters away from these chemical units.

The protest simultaneously started at Nisarg Greens and Ambernath station. Residents of Nisarg Greens made a human chain outside their complex and other members (who were from Ambernath west & other areas of Ambernath) made similar human chain near Swanand complex, b cabin road. Slogans mentioning their dissent on Ambernath Municipality Council's careless actions were heard loud and clear. People carried placards with messages for government officials, AMC, MPCB etc.

 

 

                           


                                                    Frustrated Ambernath citizens protesting.


The protest saw photographer from Hindustan Times covering the entire activity :-

Later, protesters from station area walked upto Nisarg Greens to join the other group. While walking they kept shouting slogans against AMC, MPCB & administration. The entire group marched towards end of b cabin road which is very close to Morivili MIDC (which happens to be in Ambernath west across railway tracks). They assembled there and discussed various issues amidst police team. Strong speech were given by Satyajit Burman sir & other ACF members who urged people to come together and raise voice against all existing issues.

Request to join twitter and take all issues to social media thru twitter was made by Satyajit sir. He mentioned to all (who have not yet joined twitter) to open twitter account asap and follow ACF handle which is very simple to remember as ACF and ACF's helpline number viz :-
 @ACF8983506000 

Satyajit Burman sir seen interacting with protesters.

During various discussions amongst protesters; 1 protester who had come from Ambernath west said he is staying at Morivili and has been fighting against these chemical factories for past 3 decades. He was very happy to be part of ACF & said today's protest has encouraged him to continue with his fight. ACF senior members assured him of full support from ACF Team.

Existing twitter users mentioned that inspite of directives from central government, Ambernath Municipality Council does not have a twitter handle yet. Even though they are supposed to have one.


Seen here one of the protester asking AMC to open twitter account.



The protest ended with a very positive note of all members vowing to fight against pollution, illegal dumping ground & all other issues. A thundering "Bharat Mata Ki Jai" & "Vande Matarm" concluded the protest.




AMBERNATH CITIZENS FORUM
Helpline No. - 8983506000
ambernathcitizensforum@gmail.com
https://www.facebook.com/groups/AmbernathCitizensforum/
@ACF8983506000