Parliament Question: Pollution by Asphalt Plant

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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