Twitter
Advertisement

Pune civic body fails to shut down Mohammedwadi kiln

The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has failed to take action against the brick kiln owner who, despite giving a written affidavit, has not shut the kiln, situated in the Mohammedwadi area of the city.

Latest News
article-main
FacebookTwitterWhatsappLinkedin

The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has failed to take action against the brick kiln owner who, despite giving a written affidavit, has not shut the kiln, situated in the Mohammedwadi area of the city.

The brick kiln owner, Bhagwan Ghule, had submitted an affidavit dated May 4, 2011, to the Hadapsar ward office stating that he would close the kiln by May 25.

The PMC zonal commissioner (IV), Madhukant Garad, on May 2, 2011, had issued orders that the kiln be closed by May 25 and the owner has to give a written affidavit assuring that he would comply
with the order.

“The kiln has not closed,’’ alleged the local residents and members of the Nyati County Mohalla Committee (NCMC), who have been demanding closure of the kiln as it has been polluting the area causing health problems for the local residents.

“By continuing to operate the kiln, the kiln owner has violated the affidavit,’’ said Capt Deepak Sethi, a member
of NCMC.

According to NCMC members, when the matter was brought to the notice of Garad during a meeting on August 1, he said the onus is on Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) to ensure the kiln’s closure.

“This is baffling because the kiln owner’s affidavit is addressed to the Hadapsar ward office,’’ said Sethi, adding that Garad was not forthcoming as to what action the civic body will take against the kiln owner for dishonouring the affidavit.

Located in the heart of Mohammedwadi, in the vicinity of a school and several residential societies, this brick kiln has been in the eye of a storm since April 2009. A MPCB report dated April 24, 2009, had suggested closure of the kiln and shifting it to another area as it is located in “prime residential area”.

NCMC, through a Right to Information Act, 2005, query ascertained that the kiln did not have a valid PMC licence to operate. “We will continue to pressurise the PMC till it takes appropriate action against the owner and shuts the kiln,’’ the irked residents remarked.

Garad told DNA, “We will seek legal opinion about the affidavit. Since he has been operating in the area before the buildings came up, we can only pressurise him to shift the kiln.’’

Find your daily dose of news & explainers in your WhatsApp. Stay updated, Stay informed-  Follow DNA on WhatsApp.
Advertisement

Live tv

Advertisement
Advertisement