Kalyan: The residents of Kalyan-Dombivli Municipal Corporation (KDMC) area are grappling with severe dust pollution, exacerbating respiratory issues among residents, particularly affecting children and senior citizens. The residents allege despite the municipal corporation purchasing misting machines to mitigate this problem, these vehicles remain unused, exacerbating the situation.

 Shiv Sena Shinde group's sub-city chief Mohan Ugle has highlighted the ineffective deployment of the misting machine vehicles, which were purchased during the tenure of former Municipal Commissioner Dr. Bhausaheb Dangde. The vehicles, bought at significant expense to combat dust and improve air quality, are currently lying idle at the B Ward area office, while the city remains enveloped in dust.

Ugle has called for the immediate use of these vehicles to spray water on the dust-covered streets, alleviating the airborne dust and subsequently reducing respiratory ailments among the citizens. The dust has accumulated on all roads, with no asphalt or cement concrete surface free from it, leading to a noticeable increase in health issues among the population.

The situation has become dire, with the dust exacerbating existing problems such as potholes and creating additional health hazards. Despite the purchase of these vehicles to address the issue, their neglect has left the city's residents to suffer from deteriorating air quality and related health problems.

Former corporator Mohan Ugle's expose has brought to light the KDMC administration's failure to utilize the resources at hand effectively. He has urged the KDMC's environmental department to take immediate action to reduce the dust pollution and address the health concerns of the city's residents.