Mumbai: Borivli residents want polluting cement plant to go

Residents and two local MLAs in Borivli protested against a cement plant on Wednesday. They claim the plant, owned by M/s N N Enterprises, causes air and noise pollution, remaining open at night despite regulations. The residents also alleged that the plant has been emitting an excessive amount of particulate matter, which remains suspended in the air. They claimed that even their water changes colour, resembling coffee, after being kept open for a few minutes. Neelam Rodrigues, a resident, said, "Due to air pollution, my father-in-law, 74, suffers from chronic cough. Even my 11-year-old daughter needs an inhaler. We are thinking of relocating because of this issue." Pravina Doshi, from a nearby building, said, "We were informed that the plant is meant to supply material for the metro line. However, now that the metro is operational, the plant continues to operate. Later, we discovered the plant isn't intended for this purpose. It's permitted to operate from 6 am to 6 pm, yet it remains open at night, with trucks operating constantly, depriving us of peaceful sleep."

Manisha Chaudhari, the local MLA, mentioned that she has been consistently receiving complaints from residents about the plant operating even during the night, leading to noise pollution caused by vehicles. After reaching out to the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB), the authority directed the BMC to take necessary action. The R Central ward issued a stop work notice on November 25, but despite this, the plant hasn't been shut down.

Sunil Rane, the MLA of Borivli, said that the state government prioritizes citizens' concerns and has been actively working to close down plants causing pollution. He mentioned plans to raise this issue in the winter assembly session, aiming to take action against the plant within the next 10 to 15 days following due process.
The plant owners, Anas Khan and Ganesh Mhatre, claim to have permissions until 2025. Ganesh Mhatre stated, "We installed a green net post-residents' complaints." They assert compliance with regulations and MPCB checks monthly. Anas Khan said, "The plant doesn't operate at night; trucks merely load and unload material. We follow every norm to run our business and the residents must check the dumping yard behind the plant and see if they are following the norms."