India: The Maharashtra Pollution Control Board has ordered the closure of 18 ready-mix concrete batching plants in Pimpri-Chinchwad and Pune due to breaches of environmental regulations. Local press has reported that both commercial and on-site plants had violated rules on air pollution, including through the illegal use of diesel motors, and the discharge of contaminated water. A further four plants received penalties for minor breaches. The action followed local complaints about dust emissions.
A representative of the Confederation of Real Estate Developers’ Assoications of India said that the “A complete shutdown of ready-mix concrete plants will affect on-going construction projects and increase costs.” They added that on-site plants help building sites to reduce their overall emissions.
