Mumbai: The contractor executing the Colaba-Seepz underground Metro-3 on behalf of Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation (MMRC) was issued a show cause notice for not taking the mandatory permission from the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board, before commencing the construction work of Casting Yard for the Metro in Aarey. The notice was issued under provision of the Water (Prevention and Control) Act, 1974. Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981 and Hazardous Waste (Management, handling and Trans boundary Movement) Rules 1988. This was revealed in an RTI reply that was received on March 6. The RTI query was filed in January.
According to the RTI reply, before commencing any activity on the three-hectare Aarey land, the contractor had to seek permission under Air and Water Act (prevention and control of pollution). The contractor, according to applicant, has not bothered to apply to seek permission.
The RTI reply exposed that the contractor appointed by MMRCL company not only failed to seek mandatory permission under section 25 Water (Prevention and Control Pollution) Act, 1974 and under section 21 of the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981.
The show cause notice sent by regional officer Madukar Lad of MPCB states, “... after examining all the reports and records available with this office, I have come to the conclusion that you are knowingly and wilfully violating the provisions of Water, Air and Hazardous Wastes Rules 2008 and operating your industry without providing adequate pollution control system.’
Stalin Dayanand of Vanshakti, who had filed the RTI with MPCB said, “"MMRCL has shown scant regard to adhering to laws. This is not expected from a government body. Projects can be executed in a manner that is environment sensitive and within the law. MMRCL has undermined statutory bodies meant to safeguard the environment."
The board also has ordered the contractor to present documents and photographs to them on March 30, failing which the board will take action against them.
Attempts to contact J Kumar the contractor, got no response.
