Kalyan: Amid stiff opposition by locals to a proposed cement grinding plant by an Adani Group subsidiary in Kalyan’s Ambivli, a public hearing on Tuesday by Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) over the project drew 2,900 oral and written objections.Residents, environmentalists and politicians flagged four main concerns: likely increase in air and sound pollution, contamination of Ulhas, Kalu and Bhatsa rivers near the area, jobs for locals in the factory, and pending compensation for workers of the now defunct National Rayon Company, whose land was acquired by Adani Group on which the plant is proposed to be built by Ambuja Cements Ltd. A posse of 200 police personnel was posted for the hearing, which lasted over three hours. Many participants raised slogans and held up banners against the project. Alleging that the effluents from the factory would be released into the three rivers, Nitin Nikam, who runs NGO Mee Kalyankar, sought to know what mechanisms would be in place to keep a check on the plant. The company said plant will be a ‘zero liquid discharge’ project, wherein all effluents will be treated at a sewage treatment plant and water would be recycled. Subhash Patil, a resident of the nearby Mohane Koliwada, said the company has claimed it would plant 2,500 trees but has already cut existing ones. He also accused the company of issuing an internal order that it will not give jobs to locals. The firm’s representatives said it will give priority to locals based on their talent and those without the necessary skills will be trained. An activist said those opposing the factory will move the National Green Tribunal if it’s given the go-ahead. An MPCB official said the feedback and the company’s responses will be sent to the state govt, which will take a call on the project’s clearance.
