Pune: Industries In Chakan Urged To Fund Pollution Control And Civic Projects Through CSR
Pune: Industries In Chakan Urged To Fund Pollution Control And Civic Projects Through CSR
Chakan, May 1, 2025: The Federation of Chakan Industries convened a crucial meeting on April 29 at the SANY India Limited premises to address escalating environmental and civic challenges in the Chakan industrial region. The session witnessed active participation from key officials of the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB), Chakan Nagar Parishad, Forest Department, and around 70 industrial representatives.
The meeting was presided over by Federation CEO Dilip Batwal, who emphasized the pressing need for companies operating in the peripheral gram panchayats to contribute to Chakan’s infrastructure through Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funds. Batwal highlighted the mismatch between the rising urban burden on Chakan and the lack of corresponding municipal revenue. “Companies operating outside municipal limits place demands on Chakan’s resources without contributing to its development. We must take collective responsibility,” he stated.
Environmental concerns dominated the agenda. Key issues included:
- Pollution in the Bhama River due to untreated sewage; a call was made for installing a Sewage Treatment Plant (STP).
- The need for machines to remove water hyacinth from the river, which is threatening aquatic life.
- Rising air pollution due to construction dust; proposals were made to install fogger machines.
- Implementation of plastic waste control measures, including bag winding machines and plastic bottle crushers.
Chakan Nagar Parishad CEO Dr. Ankush Jadhav presented a detailed proposal for these initiatives, urging industry support. He also introduced the plan for a new eco-park — Dnyanrai Van Udyan — at Medankarwadi, with amenities like a senior citizen garden, birdwatching center, and yoga space, but emphasized the need for financial backing.
Several company representatives raised concerns over MEPL, the current hazardous waste handler, alleging high charges, irregular collection, and delayed invoicing. Suggestions were made to introduce competition by authorizing other players like Green Genie Enviro Protection and Infra.
MPCB officials, including Regional Officer J.S. Salunkhe and Board Member Nitin Gore, acknowledged the environmental degradation caused by unchecked urbanization and industrialization. They assured that complaints against MEPL would be investigated and called for a united effort to ensure Chakan’s sustainable development.
The meeting concluded with a demonstration of a cloth bag ATM, promoting eco-friendly alternatives to plastic. It ended with a note of cooperation, reinforced by a call for urgent action and mutual accountability, Dilip Batwal, CEO, Federation of Chakan Industries.
