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In much- needed respite for Uttan residents, Deputy CM Ajit Pawar on Wednesday directed the Mira- Bhayandar civic authorities to table a fresh proposal for shifting the solid waste management project from Uttan- Pali. The plant will now be shifted to private owned land in Versave village near Kashimira, albeit with all necessary approvals from concerned authorities, sources said.

Pawar took the decision after delegates from the Mira- Bhayandar Municipal Corporation ( MBMC) led by local legislator Gilbert Mendonca highlighted to him the urgent need to shift the plant from a populated area to a harmless location.

It should be noted that the State government authorities had earlier suspended the shifting proposal moved by the MBMC general body, considering the huge losses involved in relocating an operational unit. " However, the deputy chief minister's directions will definitely act as a catalyst in the people's struggle for the shifting of the plant, which poses a health hazard," said Gilbert Mendonca.

It was in 2003 that the MBMC installed the solid waste management project at Dhavgi village on a Built- Operate and Transfer basis. However, the project faced stiff opposition from local villagers, who launched massive protest agitation against the unbearable stink emanating from the waste plant. The delegation that met Pawar included Fr. Allwyn D’silva, Former MLC, Muzaffar Hussain, deputy mayor Jayant Patil, standing committee chairman, Steven Mendonca, civic chief Shivmurthi Naik and Haryl Borges.