12 debris trucks caught on way to Vasai mangroves

MUMBAI: A dozen trucks were caught dumping construction debris on mangroves in Vasai along the Mumbai-Ahmedabad National Highway by officials of the state revenue department on Thursday evening. The officials, accompanied by the police, acted on a tip-off from an informer who told them about 12 dumpers heading towards an open plot surrounded by mangroves in Sasupada near the highway.
An official told TOI that massive debris has already been dumped on mangroves to reclaim land.“Several mangroves have been buried under the debris. The debris dumping takes place at night hours and the movement of trucks goes unnoticed. The trucks most probably came from construction sites in Thane and Borivli,” he added.
Locals said that such trucks are a nuisance as the drivers, who are in a rush to complete a particular number of trips, indulge in rash driving. Several illegal restaurants and lodges have come up on the highway in Vasai on mangroves.