PCMC shuts down 11 illegally operating RMC plants

PIMPRI CHINCHWAD, Maharashtra: The environmental department of the Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) has shut down 11 read-mix concrete (RMC) plants operating without the permission of the civic body and the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB).

The list of plants against which the civic body has taken action includes those in Tathawade, Punawale, Kiwale and Moshi. These plants have been operating without necessary permissions and cause air and noise pollution in the adjoining areas. The civic body was receiving complaints regarding these plants on the SARATHI portal. Apart from that, written complaints were also being filed with the environmental department. To investigate the matter, the civic officials visited these plants and found them guilty of operating without permission.

An official, on anonymity, said, “It was shocking to discover all these plants were operating without any permission of PCMC or MPCB. They were immediately issued closure notice and shut down.”

Sanjay Kulkarni, HOD, Environment Department, PCMC, said, “These RMCs plants were operating illegally and on top of that there was a gross violation of pollution norms. There were no measures taken by the owners of these plants to prevent air and noise pollution. The citizens living in the vicinity complained of health issues given the air pollution caused by the plants.”