MPCB notices to Mahul factories withdrawn

Mumbai: In a blow to nearly 30,000 people staying in Mahul - closure notices issued to two factories in the vicinity of residential buildings accused of pollution, Aegis and Sealord - have been withdrawn.

The Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB), which had earlier this month issued closure notices to both factories citing higher pollution levels and violation of environment norms, conducted a site visit recently after which the notices were withdrawn. The project-affected people have been pleading with the state government to relocate them, as the area is reeling under higher air and water pollution levels from nearby factories and refineries.

The MPCB officials stated that a few conditions were placed on the factories for operation. “On inspection, it was found that the factories hadn’t been violating the permissible standards for industries. We withdrew the closure notices from both the factories after they agreed to comply with certain conditions imposed by us,” an official from MPCB said. MPCB has not yet revealed the conditions that were imposed on the factories.

Residents staying in Mahul village and project affected people that have been rehabilitated in Mahul have time and again raised concerns over the impact of pollution from nearby factories and refineries. The project affected people, mainly people whose hutments have been demolished with the promise of relocating them within 10 metres of the Tansa pipeline, have decided to lead a morcha to the chief minister’s office on Friday, asking the government for relocation.

A project affected person staying in Mahul, Jitu Bobade, said, “We just want the government to relocate us to a place where there is no pollution. Our children’s health is getting affected as they have regular coughing and breathing issues.”