Mumbai: Activists have alleged that the Ready Mix Concrete (RMC) plant in Kashimirq near the Sanjay Gandhi National Park and is causing pollution within the eco-sensitive zone. The activists have written to the Maharashtra Chief Minister demanding immediate closure of all the RMC plants operating in the eco sensitive zone.
As the Mumbai Metropolitan Region has been choking due to severe air quality index since Thursday, Watchdog Foundation has written to Maharashtra CM alleging an illegal functioning of an RMC plant.
The letter alleged that the said plant located in Kashimira’s Mashacha Pada, falls within the Eco-Sensitive Zone of the SGNP and questioned the operation of the plant accusing it of detrimental to the environment.
The letter accused the Mira Bhayandar Municipal Corporation, Maharashtra Pollution Control Board, and the State Government to have failed in their responsibility to regulate and curb the operations of such polluting units. It alleged that the continued operation of this plant is not only a violation of environmental norms but also a blatant disregard for the eco-sensitive nature of the area.
The representation has demanded immediate and stringent action against the RMC Plant and a thorough investigation into the regulatory lapses. It also urged the CM to order the immediate closure of the plant any other such illegal units operating in eco-sensitive zones. It also demanded that the authorities responsible for granting permissions or failing to monitor and enforce regulations should be held accountable.
Godfrey Pimenta, trustee of Watchdog Foundation, said, “RMC Plants are well-documented sources of significant air pollution, contributing to the deteriorating AQI in Mumbai and its surrounding areas. The unchecked emissions from these plants release harmful particulate matter and toxins into the air, posing severe health risks to residents and damaging the fragile ecological balance of the region.”
NGO Alleges Non-Compliance Of CAAQMS Installation
In a separate letter to the MPCB, Watchdog Foundation has alerted the government authority about RMC plants not complying with the guideline of installing a Continuous Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Stations with its data directly linked to MPCB’s server.
The letter alleged that these plants are manually handling the air quality data which compromises transparency and increases risk of manipulation. It demanded MPCB to ensure strict enforcement of the guidelines and carry out regular audits to verify compliance CAAQMS installation.
