Mid-Day Impact: MPCB pulls up RMC plant causing Kurla pollution

The area outside the ready mix concrete (RMC) plant that is causing problems in Kurla. PICS/BY SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

Following mid day‘s report on severe dust and air pollution in Kurla posing health risks to residents, the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) has issued directions to the RMC (ready mix concrete) plant operator after finding non-compliance with pollution control guidelines. The board also ordered the forfeiture of the Rs 5 lakh bank guarantee submitted by the RMC operator.

An MPCB official said, "Our inspection team visited the RMC plant in Kurla and observed non-compliance with prescribed pollution control norms. In view of these violations, we have ordered the forfeiture of the Rs 5 lakh bank guarantee submitted by the RMC operator. The operator has also been warned that any further violations will invite stricter regulatory action."

A December 15 mid-day report - Mumbai: Kurla residents raise alarm about polluting RMC plant - stated that Mumbai-based activist Godfrey Pimenta had complained to the MPCB and BMC, alleging that an RMC plant near a residential area in Kurla is generating excessive dust and air pollution. According to Pimenta, emissions from the plant pose a serious health risk to residents in the vicinity.

On December 16, a mid-day report - MPCB to issue notice to polluting RMC plant in Kurla - informed that MPCB would be issuing a notice to the RMC plant blamed for causing dust and air pollution in Kurla. A senior MPCB officer had then told mid-day that officials inspected the site, found pollution violations, and sent a proposal to higher authorities for action.

During the second week of December, a resident from Sunderbaug Lane, Kamani, in Kurla, recorded a video showing dust pollution allegedly caused by the plant and shared it with Pimenta. Acting on this evidence, Pimenta filed complaints with the MPCB, BMC, and the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC). Locals from the area had also told mid-day that the situation poses significant health risks, especially for children, senior citizens, and people with respiratory issues.