Town Council working with Resident's Committee to address Bukit Merah resident's pollution concerns

Stomper Seto was concerned by pollution caused by the burning of paper offerings in an incense burner at Block 129 Bukit Merah View.

He said: "One icon in Bukit Merah stands out: It is the 2m-wide bagua-shape concrete burner.

"I myself and many residents here practice burning offerings monthly in these concrete burners.

"However, I noticed that groups of people from neighbouring Block 123 would fill up the burner with paper offerings, light them up and quickly disappear.

"The huge amount of paper waste, pollutants and smoke would fill the homes and lungs of residents with unhealthy pollutants for many hours as the paper offerings are reduced to ashes.

"These burners are only two metres away from the external walls of some Housing Development Board (HDB) blocks here.

"Can anyone advise who built these concrete burners and who is in charge of it?"

Seto, who said he is not against religious practices, also alleged that "ashes are left to fly with the wind to people's lungs" due to a lack of maintenance of the burners.

He also shared photos taken on Oct 24 and Nov 28 last year, as well as on Jan 16 this year, showing smoke from the burner reaching his window on the fourth storey.

The Stomper added: "I am focused on the harmful pollution that the burning of joss papers and incense is causing, as well as on the health-related aspects.

I really hope agencies can help with this pollution problem as all my windows get ashes flying in.

"My health has gotten worse since living here years ago.

"I am sharing this on Stomp as I believe Stomp can get things done!

"I take this opportunity to thank the Stomp Team for their excellent work. Please keep up the good work. You have helped many poor and weak residents like me to get things done!"

In response to a Stomp query, a spokesman for Tanjong Pagar Town Council said: "The concrete burner at Block 129 Bukit Merah View was built by the HDB during the Main Upgrading Programme, which was completed in 2001.

"We have informed the Resident's Committee of this feedback and will work closely with them to see how we can best address the concerns raised.

"We have also requested our cleaners to clear the burnt paper offerings more frequently."