Residents of Haware Citi in Thane Protest Against Hazardous Ready-Mix Plants

Thane:

Residents of Thane’s Haware Citi, a peaceful township on Ghodbunder Road housing 7,000 people across 28 towers, are raising their voices against the construction of two ready-mix cement (RMC) plants nearby. This development, sanctioned by the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA), has sparked serious health and environmental concerns among the community.

Hazardous Development Sparks Outrage

Residents are alarmed by Hyderabad-based Megha Engineering and Infrastructure Ltd’s plans to set up two RMC plants just a few hundred meters from their residential complex. The area includes schools and is close to Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP) and adivasi villages.

Health and Environmental Concerns

An official from the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) overseeing the RMC plant clarified that although the tunnel project goes through an eco-sensitive zone, the RMC plants are not located within it. The land for the plants was provided by MMRDA, and since these are captive plants and not commercial ones, there are no restrictions on their distance from human habitation. The MPCB has only given permission to establish the plants, and they will be granted operational permission only if all criteria are met.

Disrupted Peace and Reduced Greenery

The construction has introduced a constant hum of machinery and a veil of dust to the air. Residents report a significant reduction in the area's green cover due to the construction. They claim that all greenery and trees have been cleared since the leveling of the place began.

Concerns About Health and Wildlife

Residents are not opposed to progress but are deeply concerned about the risks posed to over 12,000 residents living within 300 to 500 meters of the plant. They fear that once the plant starts operating, flying ash and cement particles will pollute the air, despite water sprinkling measures. Additionally, the residents worry about the impact on the nearby SGNP, located just 200 meters away, and the Kasarwadavli waterfall stream, a natural water body that has been blocked due to the construction. The leveling has redirected the water flow away from the land, causing potential long-term environmental damage.

Collective Action and Protests

In March, the Haware Citi Co-op Housing Federation, along with over 10 other housing complexes, wrote letters to the Thane Municipal Corporation, requesting the relocation of the plant to protect their health, environment, and community. In response to Megha Engineering’s request for a No Objection Certificate (NOC) in May, the society demanded proof of all necessary clearances, including project plans, sanction letters, and environmental approvals.

Upcoming Protest

Residents have collected around 300 signatures and plan to hold a protest and awareness drive on Sunday at the Haware Citi Chowk, emphasizing their demand for the plant’s relocation. Conclusion The Thane township residents’ protest highlights the need for a balance between development and the well-being of the community and environment. Their collective efforts aim to safeguard their health, preserve the local ecosystem, and ensure a sustainable future for their neighborhood.