THANE: Months after drawing criticism from green activists and residents, the Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC) is now preparing to clear nearly 10,000 tonnes of illegally dumped waste along the ecologically sensitive Gaimukh creekside abutting the Ghodbunder highway.The issue escalated recently after multiple fire incidents were reported at the site, which the civic body attributes to methane gas buildup from accumulated waste. The area, close to both creek and forest land, has long been a point of concern for environmentalists and locals, who feared health hazards due to the discharge of toxic gases from the site located few hundred metres off the highway.“We estimate around 10,000 tonnes of waste piled up here. We’re working on deploying 10 dumpers daily, which will make multiple trips to clear the trash as quickly as possible,” said Deputy Municipal Commissioner Manish Joshi, who heads the solid waste management department. “We believe the fires were naturally triggered by methane and have ruled out foul play, so no complaints have been filed.”TMC sources revealed that the site became a covert dumping ground since March after the city faced a waste management crisis triggered by a fire at the Wagle Estate transfer station. The incident forced the civic body to temporarily offload waste in open plots, which met with stiff resistance from residents. Following this, the corporation is learnt to have started using such unguarded plots away from residential areas.A city-based activist, Vaibhav Satam, was among the first to spot the reckless dumping of trash at the stretch, following which he drew the attention of the National Green Tribunal early this year.