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The National Green Tribunal in Pune has imposed a penalty of INR 29.68 lakh on Wadgaon Budruk RMC plant for continuing operations despite a closure order issued by MPCB in June 2024. Complaints by a local resident highlighted health risks to nearby residents, a school, and a bakery. The plant violated siting norms and operated without valid consent, even after electricity disconnection. The penalty will fund environmental restoration, and the plant is now shut. The order underscores the importance of regulatory compliance and citizen vigilance.
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) in Pune has directed the Wadgaon Budruk RMC plant to pay INR 29.68?lakh to the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) as environmental damage compensation. The tribunal has asked the payment to be made within a month, and the amount will be used for restoring the environment in the affected area. The plant is now closed following the order. Advertisement
The RMC plant had been instructed to shut down by MPCB in June 2024, but it continued operations until mid-June this year. The case was brought to NGT by a local resident who highlighted health risks caused by the plant to nearby residents, a school, and a bakery. The resident explained that he had purchased a flat in a well-ventilated society due to his asthma condition, and continued operations by the plant affected the quality of life and health in the community.
During the proceedings, it was revealed that the plant had been allowed to operate despite violating MPCB siting norms, which mandate a minimum distance of 80 metres from highways and 160 metres from schools. The plant received permission in December 2021 even though complaints had been raised by residents. An RTI request revealed that the plant was operating without valid consent, and the closure notice issued in June 2024 was ignored.
Field inspections conducted by MPCB confirmed that the plant was running on a 320?KVA diesel generator on June 17 this year, even though electricity supply had been disconnected by MSEDCL in July 2024. NGT, presided over by Justice Dinesh Kumar Singh along with expert member Sudhir Kumar Chaturvedi, instructed MPCB to assess the environmental damage and file an affidavit to determine the compensation amount, which resulted in the INR 29.68?lakh penalty.
The tribunal emphasized the need for strict adherence to environmental laws and regulatory norms, especially for industrial units located near residential areas and schools. The order also reinforces the authority of residents to raise concerns and ensures that violators are held accountable for environmental damage.
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