Pollution board pulls up Mumbai cricket association

The Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) has once again pulled up the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) for not following norms and causing environmental degradation.

The MBCP had found that the renovation of Wankhede Stadium was polluting the air and groundwater.

According to a notice issued on May 21 (a copy of which is with DNA), the MPCB asked the MCA to reduce the high suspended particulate matter (SPM), ensure proper treatment of waste water, and deposit Rs2 lakh to ensure compliance of the directions.

The board also threatened to initiate legal action if the association did not comply with the order within 15 days.
An inspection carried out in April showed the SPM at 565.81 microgram per cubic metre (ug/m3) as against the standard 140ug/m3. The pH content was twice the prescribed leave at 10.6 milligram/litre.

Lalchand Rajput, secretary of MCA, said, “Talk to Chandrakant S Naik (CEO).” Naik was not available for comment.
Amit Maru, the activist who had filed the complaint, said the MPCB should have taken stricter action.

YP Singh, the lawyer handling the case, said, “Unless the MCA follows the environment impact assessment notification procedure, these problems will arise.”

When contacted, Radheshyam Mopalwar, the newly appointed member secretary of MPCB, said, “I am not aware of the case.”