In an aggressive move to combat the worsening air quality in Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR), the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) has declared that no new ready-mix concrete (RMC) plants will be allowed within municipal corporation limits. The decision comes as the region grapples with increasing particulate matter and declining air quality indices.
Existing RMC plants are mandated to adopt immediate measures, including anti-dust curtains at entry and exit points and tyre water sprinkling systems for vehicles within three months. Non-compliance will lead to penalties, including the forfeiture of bank guarantees and possible plant shutdowns. For new captive RMC plants located outside corporation areas in MMR, MPCB has imposed strict conditions. Such units must occupy only 10% of the allocated land and be enclosed in fully covered box-like structures within three months of establishment. Additionally, a Rs 10 lakh bank guarantee is now mandatory, ensuring adherence to these guidelines. Captive units must be dismantled or relocated within a month of completing 70% of the project or upon possession, aligning with the revised Development Control Rules.
New commercial RMC plants will now need to maintain a 500-metre buffer zone from densely populated areas, major highways, and critical institutions like schools and hospitals. A bank guarantee of Rs 25 lakh and a minimum 4,000 square metres of land are prerequisites for setting up such units. Air quality monitoring has been made compulsory for all RMC units, with strict thresholds set for PM10 and PM2.5 emissions at 100µg/m³ and 60µg/m³, respectively. The data must be linked to MPCB’s central monitoring systems. This decision aligns with Mumbai’s efforts to maintain a moderate Air Quality Index (AQI). As of Friday, the city’s AQI stood at 128, signalling moderate pollution levels. MPCB Chairman Siddhesh Kadam emphasised the need for proactive measures, in collaboration with civic bodies, to curb pollution. These stringent regulations signal a significant shift in MMR’s strategy to safeguard public health and ensure sustainable development in the region.
