Surat : Residents Demand Action On Dust Pollution By Real Estate Projects in Jahangirabad

Surat :  Fenil Thakkar, a bank executive, faces a daily ordeal while commuting on his moped with his eight-year-old daughter en route to Radiant International School. The situation takes a harrowing turn as they traverse the one-kilometer stretch from the RCC canal road opposite Cinezza multiplex towards the school. Heavy trucks laden with soil from real estate project sites churn up dust clouds, making the journey a hazardous one.

Fenil’s plight is not an isolated one, as thousands of residents in Jahangirabad grapple with severe dust pollution along the RCC canal road. Despite repeated appeals to the Surat Municipal Corporation (SMC) authorities and numerous online complaints from residents, the situation remains unchanged.

The problem stems from more than two-dozen heavy trucks transporting soil excavated from the construction sites of real estate projects in Jahangirabad including the Balar Homes, a project by DCK Group. These trucks recklessly ply the road, often without covering their cargo, resulting in a heavy spillage of soil that contributes to significant dust pollution.

Residents, like Nihal Rangoonwala of Amour apartment, lament the severity of dust pollution in the area. “The dust pollution is severe in our area. The trucks move on the road loaded with soil excavated from the project sites and do not bother to cover it with tarpaulins. The spillage of soil on the road causes heavy dust pollution,” he exclaimed.

Shailesh Parmer, another resident, highlighted the challenges faced due to dust pollution. “My flat is on the roadside, and we have to keep the windows shut to prevent dust from entering our houses. Realtors taking up projects in the area must ensure that the trucks are properly covered to avoid pollution. Dust pollution is quite hazardous and negatively affects the health of children and adults, especially those suffering from asthma and breathing problems,” he stressed.

Darshan Naik, a social activist, has taken up the cause and is actively gathering information about the ongoing construction projects in Jahangirabad. He intends to submit a comprehensive report to the municipal commissioner, Gujarat Pollution Control Board (GPCB), and the Surat police, urging action against realtors who flout pollution norms.

Trucks continue to traverse the road without taking necessary precautions, often without tarpaulin covers to prevent soil spillage. The entire stretch from Demart Junction to Radiant International School remains coated with soil from the passage of heavy trucks, further contributing to the dust pollution problem.

The issue is particularly dire for parents and students of Radiant International School and other educational institutions along the road. They face severe breathing difficulties while commuting on two-wheelers throughout the day. Pedestrians and commuters also endure serious health hazards due to the excessive dust in the air.