By Disha Gupta
Residents claim that up to 10 cement RMC plants, five of which are next to housing societies, are causing air pollution. Worried about the continuing issue of extreme air pollution caused by ready-mix concrete (RMC) plants, more than 500 residents, mainly IT professionals, held a peaceful protest in the Wakad-Tathawade area on Saturday.
Residents from over 22 housing societies peacefully marched under the Wakad-Tathawade Housing Societies Forum banner, demanding urgent action against deteriorating air quality. They allege that for the past two years, they have been forced to care for themselves with no end in view.
The march began at Kohinoor Courtyard One Society, passed through Indira School, and concluded at Wakadkar Chowk.
As per the citizens, there are around 35 housing societies with a total population of over 15,000 people on the one-kilometer portion of Shani Mandir Road that links the Bengaluru-Mumbai Highway. All of these neighborhoods are situated within the borders of the Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC), and Marunji starts right next to them. They claim that there are up to 10 cement ready-mix plants, five of which are located next to these housing societies, creating serious air pollution.
According to Kohinoor Courtyard Society resident Amol Jadhav, “authorities continue to change the responsibility despite repeated complaints.” The Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) is held accountable by the PCMC, the MPCB sends us to the PMRDA, and the PMRDA instructs us on how to get in touch with the PCMC. There is no way out of this endless circle.
“This running from pillar to post has been going on for the past two years with no solution,” said another IT professional who wanted to stay anonymous and lived in one of the societies. “All of the local authorities and bodies have met with us, but none of them have taken steps to talk about this problem.” The MPCB took the temporary safety precautions after we declared the peaceful march. However the AQI in the area was still 310 on Saturday, which is hazardous,” he said.
No serious action has been taken in spite of multiple complaints to the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB), PMRDA, Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC), and local representatives.
According to them, a thick layer of cement dust often collects on roads, cars, and houses, affecting people’s standard of life overall.