MPCB officials raid Godrej on complaints of air pollution

Krishna Pujari

GODREJ, the famous locks manufacturing company was ranked 16th Most Trusted Brand in India according to the Brand Trust Report 2014, a study conducted by Trust Research Advisory.  Now the company’s reputation is at stake, after residents complained that it is polluting the air, causing health hazards. The officials of Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) raided Company at Vikhroli and found several violations at the unit, specially the violation of air pollution norms.

M/S Godrej and Boyce Manufacturing Company Limited (RMC division) is engaged in manufacturing of R-MIX Concrete.

The residents of nearby localities (situated in the vicinity of the company) in Vikhroli East and West claim that they have been suffering from severe breathing, eye irritation, throat congestion, cough and allergies. The residents made complaints to the concerned authorities but all in vein.

Later, residents approached Sudhir Singh, Vice President of the Mumbai Pradesh division of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), Youth wing. Singh then took up the cudgels on their behalf, and lodged complaints with several authorities, including the MPCB.

“After my complaints MPCB officials woke up from the deep sleep and sent officials to inspect the premises,” said Singh.

On November 19, 2014 MPCB official’s team headed by Rajesh Nandgaonkar raided the RMC plant of M/S Godrej and Boyce Manufacturing Company Limited located at Vikhroli East and West in Mumbai. The complainant Sudhir Singh also accompanied the officials. Officials found that the company failed to adhere to air pollution control norms.
As per report, during raid/inspection the officials found manufacturing of R-Mix Concrete (RMC) in operational condition. A copy of the notice has been obtained by ABI (Akela Bureau of Investigation).

Following are the observations reported by MPCB officials:

1- The company stored the raw materials such as sand, aggregate in separate bins but no cover sheds are available over storage yard, hence dust emission are noted.

2- Company has provided the washing affluent collection tank which seems to be inadequate in capacity causing overflow of concrete/cement slurry to surrounding RMC premises.

3- No provision has been made by RMC plant authority for storage of residual concrete sludge. Hence concrete sludge of approximately around 400 tonnes is dumped in Company premises.

4- Company has not made Cellular light-weight Concrete (CLC) block as specified in the consent copy.

5- Company also has a crushing plant near the RMC plant area.

6- The waste concrete block (huge numbers approximately 5,000) are dumped on land.

However, the plant continued to operate.

Officials speak

“We have visited the company. We have submitted report to our regional office of MPCB, Mumbai,” said Nandgaonkar, MPCB official.

“I cannot comment as I am not the authorized person to comment,” said Firdosh Bachcha, plant manager.

“Yes this is true that MPCB officials had visited our company. They have also submitted report to our management but we don’t have copy. This is a normal procedure,” said Nalini Kala, spokesperson Godrej.