PUNE: On Friday, officials from the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) inspected a site for a new residential and commercial project in Baner to determine further actions needed to manage dust and noise levels, as mandated by the National Green Tribunal (NGT) on December 8.
MPCB’s Pune sub-regional officer Kartikeya Langote stated, “We have sent field officers Jayant Doke and Sarjerao Bhoi to the project site.”
Doke informed TOI, “We have established air quality and noise monitoring stations, which will track these levels for the next 24 hours. We had previously instructed the project proponent to implement measures to mitigate dust and noise. They confirmed that those measures are in place, so we visited to verify.”
“We will assess whether any Environmental Damage Compensation (EDC) should be imposed for prior violations, pending reviews by higher authorities,” Doke added.
On December 5, the NGT mandated that “until the next date, the MPCB must ensure that the project proponent halts construction activities until necessary measures are in place to control dust and noise pollution within allowable limits at the site.”
During the subsequent hearing on December 8, the NGT noted a report submitted by the project proponent, indicating that ambient noise levels were within permissible limits. It also referenced a December 4 affidavit from the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) stating that a stop work notice issued on June 14, 2024, was rescinded on August 7, 2024, because the project proponent had taken sufficient precautions. Additionally, the project proponent paid a penalty of ₹1 lakh on June 20, 2024, and PMC officials assessed the site on July 16, 2024.
Considering the lawyer’s comments regarding the absence of earlier evidence, the bench acknowledged that “documentary evidence concerning air and noise quality was not presented on that date. Given the test results showing those factors were within acceptable limits, and noting the completion of excavation work with only basement construction underway, we feel the likelihood of renewed air and noise pollution is low. Thus, construction activities may continue.”
In response to the applicant’s lawyer’s plea to uphold the previous order—which was based on complete argumentation from December 5—the bench clarified, “While we did not order a complete halt to construction, we stipulated that MPCB must ensure the project proponent adheres to prescribed standards for dust and noise pollution before resuming work.”
“We maintain this stance but direct the MPCB to reassess the site within a week to evaluate any further measures to control dust and noise. If additional actions are needed, immediate directives should be issued to the project proponent,” the bench concluded.
Correction
A TOI report published on page 5 on December 14 mistakenly stated, ‘Green tribunal allows Baner realty project construction.’ We regret this error.
