The Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) has issued a notice to Megha Engineering and Infrastructures Ltd. (MEIL), directing the company to curb air and noise pollution at the Ready Mix Concrete (RMC) plant set up for the Thane–Borivali twin tunnel project after complaints from residents of Haware City Township.
The MPCB informed the Bombay High Court that it served the notice on July 3 following complaints that the RMC plant, vehicle movement and construction activities were generating excessive dust and noise, including operations beyond permitted hours. The company has been directed to comply with pollution control norms, stop operating the plant after prescribed timings, and submit a compliance report within seven days, failing which legal action may be initiated.
The development came during the hearing of a public interest litigation filed by environmental activist Rohit Joshi, who alleged that pollution from the RMC plant was affecting the health of residents and sought the relocation of the plant, casting yard and workers' camp. The High Court had earlier directed authorities to inspect the site and submit a report.
A joint inspection conducted by the MPCB on June 25 found that the company had installed fogging systems, water sprinklers, covered storage areas and protective enclosures to reduce dust emissions. However, the inspection team recommended additional measures, including installing sprinklers at entry and exit points, covering exposed areas with metal sheets and sealing gaps with tarpaulins to further control dust pollution.
The Thane–Borivali twin tunnel project, being executed by the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA), will pass beneath the Sanjay Gandhi National Park and is expected to reduce travel time between Thane and Borivali to about 15–20 minutes once completed.
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