India, Sept. 30 -- MLA Sana Malik Shaikh on Monday wrote to the BMC's municipal commissioner Bhushan Gagrani, objecting to a 500-kg animal incinerator in the Deonar abattoir. Already burdened with the side effects of the Deonar landfill, the residents fear that the incinerator would worsen the region's existing health hazards.

"It is the pollution that the residents are fearful of, considering the grave health situation of local citizens. Residents have been continuously exposed to toxic air and a large number are afflicted with tuberculosis, cancer, chronic respiratory illnesses and other life-threatening diseases," said Shaikh.

Imran Malik, a resident of the area, said, "The chimney of the incinerator, which is in the abattoir and rig...