PCMC Launches Intensive Drive, Seals 14 Ready Mix Concrete Plants for Pollution Violations
In a decisive move to combat air pollution, the Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) has sealed 14 Ready Mix Concrete (RMC) plants during a special enforcement drive conducted from April 17 to 21. This action underscores the civic body's commitment to enforcing stringent environmental standards in the region.
Widespread Inspections Reveal Serious Non-Compliance
A senior PCMC official revealed that nuisance squad teams inspected over 60 RMC plants as part of the drive. Of these, 14 were found in serious violation of pollution norms and were immediately sealed, while seven others received warnings and directives to comply with regulations. The violations identified included the absence of dust suppression systems, lack of regular water sprinkling, open storage of raw materials, and failure to implement basic dust control measures such as displaying Air Quality Index (AQI) and other parameters at the sites.
Strict Guidelines and Enforcement Protocols
The crackdown is being carried out in accordance with guidelines issued by the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) on October 17, 2025, which mandate strict operational standards for RMC plants. Yogesh Alhat, executive engineer in the PCMC environment department, stated that a circular mandating strict compliance with pollution control norms was issued over two weeks ago, prompting the launch of this enforcement drive. "No further notices are being issued to plants found violating norms during inspection drives. They are directly being sealed, and similar action will continue in the future," Alhat emphasized.
Revised MPCB Norms Outline Comprehensive Requirements
As per the revised MPCB norms, all RMC plants must adhere to rigorous standards:
- Obtain clearance under the Orange category.
- Maintain a minimum distance of 200 metres from schools, hospitals, and courts, and 50 metres from residential areas.
- Ensure plants are fully enclosed with covered storage of raw materials, silos, conveyors, and mixing units.
- Implement regular water sprinkling, dust collection systems, green belts, paved internal roads, and enclosed transfer points.
- Install tyre-washing facilities, CCTV surveillance, GPS tracking, and proper vehicle cleaning before exit.
- Comply with PM10 and PM2.5 standards, wastewater treatment and reuse, and adhere to noise and solid waste management rules.
- Units outside industrial zones are permitted to operate only between 6 am and 10 pm.
Ongoing Efforts and Future Plans
Another senior PCMC official noted that earlier this year, the civic body had sealed 16 RMC plants for similar violations. The municipal corporation now plans to ensure that all such plants are registered with the PCMC, as most are currently registered only with the MPCB, leaving the civic body without consolidated data on these units. "Many plants are temporarily set up by developers to support ongoing projects and are removed once work is completed. Efforts are on to consolidate information of each plant in the city," the official added.
Sanjay Kulkarni, city engineer and head of the PCMC's environment department, reinforced the commitment to dust control, stating, "RMC plants and construction projects in the city are required to implement necessary measures for dust control at construction sites. Immediate action is being taken against violators without any compromise." This drive highlights PCMC's proactive stance in addressing environmental concerns and ensuring public health through rigorous enforcement.
