Pune Chokes On Dust From Ready Mix Concrete Plants
Pune Chokes On Dust From Ready Mix Concrete Plants
Residents of Pune are struggling to breathe as the city chokes on dust emanating from ready mix concrete (RMC) plants. The Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) has issued 109 notices to RMC plants, stone crusher units, and hot mix plants for non-compliance with pollution standards since April.
Despite the notices, residents claim that the dust pollution persists, causing respiratory problems, allergies, and other health issues. Many RMC plants operate in residential neighborhoods, such as Bavdhan, Dhayari, and Wagholi, leaving residents to suffer.
Transit trucks are neither covered nor sprayed with water, leading to massive dust pollution. Visibility is often reduced to just 50 meters. Such trucks are often seen in Undri, Pisoli, Mohamadwadi, Wagholi, Kharadi, and many areas where construction activity is being undertaken.
The MPCB has issued 34 closure notices and directed other plants to make amends to their processes. However, residents claim that the situation improves only temporarily after notices are served.
Pune’s air quality data reveals a mere 4% decrease in PM10 levels since 2017, while Mumbai saw a 42% decrease in PM10 concentration after banning new RMC plants. Citizens believe that a similar ban could be beneficial for Pune.
Kartikeya Langote, sub-regional officer at MPCB told Pune Pulse that complaints come from across Pune city. There are air quality monitoring stations in the city at various places which record the pollution status. There are various factors responsible for air pollution.
As Pune struggles to breathe, residents demand stricter action against polluting RMC plants and a comprehensive policy to address the issue.
