Pune News : Lonikand residents block dumpers causing air pollution 

In an effort to address the heavy dust and safety problems caused by the dumpers transporting gravel and crushed sand in Lonikand, a team led by Lonikand Gaon Mahiti Seva Samiti, Chairman Navnath Kand, deputy sarpanch Omkar Kand, and Gram Panchayat members stopped around 100 dumpers today at Lonikand.

The team had previously issued notices and held a meeting with professionals in the mining and transportation industries, urging them to take measures to prevent dust from spreading and accidents.

Despite these efforts, the dumpers continued to cause problems, prompting the team to take direct action. The professionals were instructed to sprinkle water and put tarpaulins on their vehicles during transportation, but those who did not comply with the rules faced the possibility of having their licenses canceled.

Ramdas Dabhade, President, Pune District Mines and Crushers Association, acknowledged the team’s efforts, saying that they had given clear instructions to the dumper owners and crushing unit owners to follow the rules. He also recognized the team’s role in taking direct action against those who did not comply. Dabhade further stated that there are a lot of internal roads which are undeveloped. The administration should also repair them. We have asked the crushing unit and dumper owners to sprinkle water on the road as well as cover the dumpers. 

Navnath Kand, chairman, Lonikand Gaon Mahiti Seva Samiti, an NGO in Lonikand told Pune Pulse that the dumpers were stopped today as our several complaints have gone unheard. Don’t we have the basic right to breathe clean air ?, questioned Navnath. He said, “We have written to the District administration, Maharashtra Pollution Control Board, Gram panchayat, Tehsildar. We had no other way but to protest and stop movement of these vehicles which are leading to dust in the area. The continuous dust in the air is causing severe illnesses to the people in the area.

The team, led by Navnath Kand, has stated that they will continue to take action until the necessary measures are implemented by all professionals in the industry. In addition to Kand and deputy sarpanch Omkar Kand and other members Somnath Kand, Sudhir Kand, Dr Dnyaneshwar Kand, Mayur Kand, Jay Kand, Rishikesh Kand, Vaibhav Kand, Sachin Kand, Deepak Kand, Rahul Shinde, Atul Magar, Tushar Shinde, and Sagar Zurunge were also present.

Renuka Suryavanshi and Nividita Kelapure