In Concrete Action To Curb Air Pollution, MPCB Shuts Down 19 RMC Units In Mumbai Region
mumbai : The Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) has ordered the closure of 19 ready-mixed concrete plants serving construction projects in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region for violating environmental rules and contributing to deterioration of air quality levels. In a statement released Wednesday, the board said the enforcement action followed a compliance investigation that found multiple facilities were operating without proper dust control systems, emissions management mechanisms and regulatory permits.
MPCB stated that multiple teams are already conducting physical inspections in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) and stringent inspections will continue throughout the winter months.
According to the statement, MPCB currently operates 32 continuous ambient air quality monitoring stations (CAAQMS) across MMR, including Mumbai, adjoining Thane, Navi Mumbai, Kalyan and Panvel.
Of these, 14 stations are operated through the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC). The real-time Air Quality Index (AQI) from these stations is publicly displayed on the Central Pollution Control Board’s online dashboard and published through media platforms, it said.
Additionally, 22 mobile air quality monitoring vehicles have been deployed across Maharashtra to detect pollution hotspots, transport corridors and industrial clusters. MPCB said these tools also assess emissions in areas with high density of ready-mixed concrete (RMC) units and warned that violations would trigger stringent environmental measures.
The board also said it had issued revised operational guidelines for RMC facilities in October 2023 and has now begun reviewing their implementation on the ground.
During the compliance investigation, four RMC units (Om Global Operation, SSG Ltd, Rambha Infrastructure Pvt Ltd and Unity Construction Pvt Ltd) at Deonar and Govandi (in Mumbai) were ordered to cease operations and a bank guarantee of Rs 5 lakh each was deposited with all three, the statement said.
Similarly, MPCB has initiated action against unauthorized metal furnaces operating in Sanjay Gandhi Nagar and Sion. These units in Mumbai have been directed to cease operations and the BMC has been asked to initiate dismantling measures, the bench said.
According to the statement, Mumbai Port Trust officials have been instructed to impose preventive restrictions in the Wadala-Mahim belt after emissions were detected during monitoring studies.
Stating that a total of RMC units, six each in Thane and Navi Mumbai and nine in Kalyan, were found to be non-compliant with the norms and subsequently ordered to shut down operations, the board said the total number of closures has gone up to 19 facilities across MMR.
The MPCB stressed that it has intensified its pollution control campaign and will continue to impose sanctions against non-compliant industries.
Board officials, including member secretary MM Devendra Singh, personally participated in field inspections and appealed to industries to cooperate with regulatory norms, the statement said.
Specifically, an RMC unit produces premixed concrete (a mixture of cement, water, aggregate (such as crushed sand, gravel, or crushed stone)) for use in construction projects.
