Units found operating without adequate dust-suppression and emissions-control systems; residents plagued by dust from new projects
Representational image. Pic/iStock
The Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) is set to take action against ready-mix concrete (RMC) plants that have failed to implement mandatory pollution-control measures, following a detailed communication from the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB).
The board has shared a list of 30 RMC units operating without adequate dust-suppression and emissions-control systems, and has instructed the PCMC to seal non-compliant plants until they meet all prescribed environmental standards. PCMC officials said that protecting public health requires strict adherence to pollution-control norms, and that the enforcement drive is being launched immediately in response to the MPCB’s findings.
Additional commissioner Vijaykumar Khorate said, “Civic teams are actively inspecting sites, and any RMC unit operating without functional air-pollution control systems will face action.”
Joint city engineer Sanjay Kulkarni added, “Compliance from RMC operators is non-negotiable.”
Although RMC plants receive operational approvals from the MPCB, several units have been found to be disregarding essential pollution-mitigation requirements, leading to recurring complaints about dust, emissions and deteriorating air quality in surrounding areas. Acting on these grievances, the MPCB has directed the PCMC to inspect and close all units that fail to comply with mandatory systems such as water-sprinkling mechanisms, enclosed mixing operations, proper covering of material-transport vehicles and arrangements for noise control.
PCMC officials confirmed that field inspections are beginning immediately, and that units not meeting the required environmental standards will be sealed until corrective measures are completed.
Local resident Sagar Deshmane said pollution from RMC plants was a growing menace, particularly in newly developing areas. “Large townships and real-estate projects are coming up, and developers set up RMC plants for their convenience but never think about the people living nearby,” he said. “We can’t even open our doors and windows because of the dust.”
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