Pune : MPCB issues closure notice to 7 ready-mix plants

For violating air pollution and other regulations, the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) has sent closure notices to seven ready-mix concrete plants.

Speaking to Pune Pulse, Ravindra Andhale, Regional Officer, MPCB Pune, said “7 ready-mix plants have been issued closure notices & 7 others have been issued notices. Site visits to 3 more ready-mix plants have been planned which will take place soon.”

Since the first week of March, the district has been the focus of the drive. Tathawade, Nande, and Marunji are a few places where the plants have closed. One plant in Nande village has received a notice of closure, while six plants in Marunji have already closed.

The board took this action after receiving numerous complaints from nearby residents about the declining quality of the air, which was causing respiratory problems.

The plants broke several rules, primarily those pertaining to barricading the area above the free fall air emission zone by at least 5 feet to a maximum of 20 feet with suitable materials and not using chemical dust stabilizers or water sprinkling inside ready-mix concrete plants.

According to an MPCB official, the investigation is still ongoing, and all aspects of infractions—such as conveyor belts, moving concrete, and dust emissions at specific plants—have been examined. Three teams conducted the survey in various parts of the district.

According to another MPCB official, they will make sure that these plants don’t run without fulfilling the necessary requirements. Seven days have been given to them to respond. The deteriorating quality of the air in the areas where these plants are located has been a frequent source of complaints from locals.