Pune: Residents in Bavdhan have scheduled a protest at 10am on Sunday near Omkar Garden Chowk demanding the relocation or closure of six ready-mix concrete (RMC) plants in their area.They are alleging that the facilities have been causing severe traffic congestion, air pollution and safety hazards for pedestrians.“Over the past several months, numerous discussions, complaints and articles have highlighted the serious impacts these plants are causing on the daily lives of Bavdhan residents. Many residents, including representatives from local housing societies, have raised this concern with local elected representatives. Unfortunately, no concrete action has been taken so far,” said Radhika Kashikar in her email to TOI. Kartikeya Langote, sub-regional officer of Maharashtra Pollution Control Board, Pune, said though the RMC plants were asked to comply within 20 days, the MPCB could not conduct a check due to the staff is busy in the ongoing assembly session. “However, we would be finishing the survey of all the RMC plants to check whether they are following environmental norms laid down by the govt. We would also check their other documents within the next week. If anyone were found flouting norms, action would be taken against them,” said Langote.Residents, however, are not satisfied with the answers they received from the administration. According to them, the Bavdhan Manch forum has actively raised the issue with the authorities, but despite repeated efforts, the situation has been unresolved.Krunnal Gharre, a resident from Bavdhan, said the area, especially near the RMC plants has seen heavy air pollution due to cement particles in the air. He said residents have been suffering from respiratory and other health issues due to poor AQI. “Moreover, the large number of trucks, moving through narrow roads, was causing traffic problems. The congestion, especially during peak hours, even resulted in emergency vehicles were being stuck. Pedestrian safety has become a joke in the area. Cycling in these parts has become dangerous due to the constant traffic, not to mention constant accidents or near-accident events on the roads leading to Omkar Garden Chowk. This stretch has become accident-prone for two-wheelers and cyclists.”
