India, June 3 -- A growing chorus of concerned residents from the Chandivali Nahar and Khairani Road area is demanding urgent action against illegal chimney units or 'bhattis' resuming operations that emit hazardous smoke into residential neighbourhoods. Despite multiple complaints and occasional demolition drives, the problem has worsened, putting the health of hundreds at serious risk.

For several months, residents have been reporting thick, foul-smelling smoke billowing from unauthorised industrial units operating in the narrow bylanes of Khairani Road. The units are reportedly engaged in melting materials like zinc, lead and sulphur to extract trace amounts of precious metals such as silver and gold, activities often conducted at nig...