The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is still looking for a suitable site for a new dumping ground, with two of its three existing sites — Mulund and Deonar — set to be closed soon. The state government had suggested an area in Ambernath and had even made an assurance in the high court about handing over the land to the BMC, but it looks like the waiting period will be longer than expected. Housing the dumping ground on the Ambernath land would involve rehabilitation of locals, a problem the BMC encountered with its earlier proposed site at Taloja. The BMC had already closed its Gorai dumping ground and is in the process of shutting down the one at Mulund as well. It's also keen on converting the Deonar yard into an energy project. If this happens, there would be just the one dumping ground left, at Kanjurmarg, which can't take the entire city's load. The civic body has been looking for an alternate venue for five years. The state government recently informed the court that 12.14 hectares in Karavali near Ambarnath can be handed over to the civic body within three months, while 26.71 hectares will be transferred within a year. But the BMC remains sceptical. "This site has eight bungalows-like structures. The residents would have to be rehabilitated," said an officer. The Taloja landfill, spread over 52.10 hectares, had the same problem of rehabilitation. BMC officials are fearing the delays in rehabilitation of locals could mean the dumping ground takes longer to be set up, though time is running out for the city.

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