**Executive Summary**
This document is the answer to Unstarred Question No. 2480 in Lok Sabha, scheduled for 15.12.2025, regarding pollution caused by asphalt plants. It addresses complaints about M/s Sundar Madhav Construction in Malegaon and outlines actions taken by the Government and the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) to address non-compliance and prevent recurrence. A Closure Direction was issued to the plant on 28.11.2025.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Complaints and Cognizance:**
* The Government has acknowledged complaints concerning M/s Sundar Madhav Construction's asphalt production causing air pollution.
* **Inspection and Action:**
* MPCB inspected the unit on 29.05.2025.
* Based on non-compliances, a Closure Direction was issued on 28.11.2025.
* **State Board Actions**
* During the last five years, the State Board has initiated action of Closure Directions to 1,149 non-consented units that were reported or identified as operating without the requisite Environmental Clearances (EC) or consent/authorization, and were found to be causing pollution.
* **Preventive Measures by Government:**
* Issues regular directions to SPCBs/PCCs under environmental protection laws.
* **Preventive Measures by MPCB:**
* Regular inspections and surprise visits to industrial areas.
* Issuance of directions for rectification of observed non-compliances.
* Regular circulation of guidelines, circulars, and enforcement mechanisms.
**Impact Analysis**
**Impact: M/s Sundar Madhav Construction**
* **Impact:** The construction is affected by the closure direction issued on 28.11.2025 due to non-compliance and pollution concerns.
* **Action Required:** Must address the observed non-compliances to resume operations and comply with environmental regulations.
**Impact: Local Residents of Malegaon**
* **Impact:** Positively affected by the Government's actions to address air pollution from the asphalt plant and improve air quality.
* **Action Required:** None specified.
**Impact: Other Non-Consented Units in Maharashtra**
* **Impact:** All non-consented units identified as operating without the requisite Environmental Clearances (EC) or consent/authorization, and found to be causing pollution are also affected by the potential closure of the operations.
* **Action Required:** All non-consented units identified as operating without the requisite Environmental Clearances (EC) or consent/authorization, and found to be causing pollution must address the observed non-compliances to avoid any similar government action.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change: The central ministry responsible for addressing the issue of pollution by an asphalt plant.
Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB): The state board responsible for inspecting and taking action against the asphalt plant causing pollution in Maharashtra.
Environment (Protection) Act, 1986: Act referenced as providing the legal basis for issuing directions to SPCBs/PCCs to prevent non-compliance.
Water Act, 1974: Act referenced as providing the legal basis for issuing directions to SPCBs/PCCs to prevent non-compliance.
Air Act, 1981: Act referenced as providing the legal basis for issuing directions to SPCBs/PCCs to prevent non-compliance.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2480
TO BE ANSWERED ON 15.12.2025
Pollution by Asphalt Plant
2480. DR. BACHHAV SHOBHA DINESH:
Will the Minister of ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government has taken cognizance of the complaints raised regarding M/s Sundar
Madhav Construction Chikalohol Shiwar at Malegaon Chalisgaon road in Malegaon, engaged
in production of Asphalt and emitting smoke and foul odour, causing severe air pollution in the
surrounding environment, if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
(b) whether the Government has instituted an enquiry to review into the issue, if so, the details
thereof including findings of the investigation and if not, the reasons therefor;
(c) whether the Government proposes to take necessary action and shut down the plant for the
health and welfare of the local residents;
(d) whether other incidents of such plants operating without necessary Environmental Clearances
and causing pollution have been noticed during the last five years and the current year, if so,
the details thereof; and
(e) whether the Government have taken any action to prevent recurrence of such incidents, if so,
the details thereof?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE
CHANGE
(SHRI KIRTI VARDHAN SINGH)
(a) to (e): The Government has taken cognizance of the complaints raised regarding M/s Sundar
Madhav Construction located in Malegaon Taluka, Nashik District, Maharashtra. The unit was
inspected by the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) on 29.05.2025 and based on the non-
compliances observed, a Closure Direction was issued to the unit on 28.11.2025.
The MPCB regularly monitors industrial areas to ensure compliance with environmental regulations.
During the last five years, the State Board has initiated action of Closure Directions to 1,149 non-
consented units that were reported or identified as operating without the requisite Environmental
Clearances (EC) or consent/authorization, and were found to be causing pollution.
To prevent recurrence of such non-compliances, the Government takes several actions, including
issuing regular directions to SPCBs/PCCs under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, Section
18(1)(b) of the Water Act, 1974, and the Air Act, 1981. In addition, the MPCB has adopted multiple
measures to prevent similar incidents in the state. These include:
Regular inspections and surprise visits to industrial areas Issuance of directions for rectification of observed non-compliances
Circulation of guidelines, circulars, and enforcement mechanisms on a regular basis to ensure
strict adherence to environmental norms.
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