Maharashtra villages protest upcoming Adani cement plant

After the Dharavi Redevelopment project, this is the second Adani Group project in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region that is facing opposition from local residents.

“When the Adani Group acquired NRC (National Rayon Company) after the dispute in the National Company Law Tribunal in 2020, it was said that a world-class logistics park would be set up. Everybody welcomed it as it would have given employment to many. But a few months ago, we were told that instead of the logistics park, a cement grinding plant is going to be set up. Should one set up such a plant in the middle of a densely populated region? There seems to be absolutely no attention paid to the environment and health issues of residents. Hence we decided to oppose it,” said Jivandas Katariya, a former worker of the NRC and Mohone resident.

Residents of Mohone and around 10 other villages have started a signature campaign against the project, ahead of the September 16 public hearing planned by the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) for the project.

“As a part of the protest, we have started a signature campaign. That’s our first step. The air pollution to be caused by the plant, water pollution, harm due to traffic increase, health concerns do not seem to have been taken into consideration while deciding to build such a big plant in our neighbourhood,” said Subhash Patil, who is the president of the Gramastha Mandal Mohone Koliwada and local leader of the BJP.

The residents have also written letters to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Environment minister Pankaja Munde, Municipal commissioner of Kalyan Dombivli Municipal Corporation (KDMC) and officials of the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB).

The Adani Group did not respond to queries sent by The Indian Express. When contacted, MPCB officials said the board was following procedure and those who have objections are free to voice their opinions in the public hearing.

As per the executive summary for public hearing, total land for the proposed project is 26.13 hectares, out of which 9.67 hectares have been earmarked for green belt development, while 5.49 hectares will be used for installation of grinding unit, storage facilities and packing plant.

“The socio-economic study area is restricted up to 10 km from the project site. The area within 10 km limit of the proposed site includes most of Kalyan Taluka (38 villages), KDMC wards A, B, C, D, part of Biwandi taluka (29 villages), part of Ambernath taluka (3 villages), Ulhasnagar and Maharal BK Town. According to a survey, the study area has a total population of 14,82,478,” the report said.

Debi Goenka, Executive Trustee at Conservation Action Trust, said: “Cement grinding units should not be permitted in densely populated areas. There are high emissions of particulate matter.”