A ready-mix concrete (RMC) facility located in Powai has received a notice for breaching several environmental and operational regulations as per the updated RMC guidelines, as reported by an official from the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB). This action was prompted by a report from Mumbai Mirror that brought to light alleged irregularities at the facility.
Officials from the MPCB had previously communicated the deficiencies verbally during an inspection, and the notice issued on Monday serves as a formal written request for adherence to the established environmental standards. Rakesh Dafade, the sub-regional officer of the MPCB, stated that the violations were detected during a compliance assessment conducted in accordance with the revised guidelines that were announced on October 17, 2025.
Following the results of the non-compliance report, the MPCB issued an official notice instructing the plant operator to address the deficiencies within a specified timeframe. “One of the primary violations noted was the improper covering of cement silos,” Dafade remarked.
According to the updated norms, silos must be sufficiently enclosed to prevent the spread of cement dust. In this instance, the silos were inadequately covered, which poses a threat of air pollution.”Another major violation identified was the absence of a tyre-washing system at the exit points of the plant.
Dafade explained that such systems are essential to prevent construction vehicles from transporting cement slurry, mud, and fine materials onto public roadways. “In the absence of tyre washing facilities, there is a significant risk of dust resuspension and material spillage on adjacent roads, which adversely impacts air quality and public safety,” he noted.
Additionally, the MPCB discovered that the plant had not adopted a scientific approach to sludge management. The sludge produced from concrete manufacturing and equipment cleaning was not being managed in compliance with the established norms.
The measures for dust suppression were deemed insufficient. Although fogging systems had been put in place, they were non-operational during the inspection. Additionally, the facility was missing an effective water sprinkling system. Dafade emphasized that both fogging and water sprinkling are crucial for managing particulate emissions during the handling of materials and the movement of vehicles within RMC plants.
In light of these infractions, the MPCB issued temporary directives to the plant operator, allowing a period of 15 days to meet all specified requirements. Dafade remarked that this compliance period was established in accordance with the principles of natural justice, providing the operator with a chance to address the deficiencies. “Should the plant fail to comply within the next 15 days, further actions will be taken,” Dafade stated.
