MUMBAI: The Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) has shut down 10 ready-mix concrete (RMC) plants and recovered Rs 84 lakh in penalties during inspections carried out over the past two days across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR), as part of an intensified crackdown on air pollution.According to the MPCB, flying squads inspected 44 RMC plants and found multiple units violating prescribed environmental and dust-control norms. Ten plants located in Dombivli, Kalyan, Ambernath, Bhiwandi, Turbhe, Virar and Worli were ordered to stop operations. Seventeen plants were issued show-cause notices, while four were served interim directions pending further action.The enforcement teams also inspected 29 large construction sites during the drive, issuing proposed directions to five projects where violations related to dust suppression and other air pollution norms were observed.The action has been taken under a 28-point guideline jointly enforced by the MPCB and the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to regulate industrial and construction activities contributing to air pollution. The guidelines mandate basic dust-mitigation measures such as the use of tarpaulin sheets to prevent particulate matter from escaping work sites, regular watering of internal roads, washing of vehicle wheels and bodies before they exit premises, and ensuring that trucks transporting construction material are adequately covered to prevent dust dispersion on public roads. Officials said non-compliance with these measures continues to be a recurring issue.The current drive follows a series of inspections launched in December after concerns were raised over deteriorating air quality in the region. Since then, the MPCB has inspected 240 RMC plants across the MMR and recovered penalties amounting to Rs 4.35 crore.
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