Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation takes decisive action against hazardous scrap godowns and shops, citing fire risks and environmental concerns.
In a bid to curb the rampant proliferation of illegal scrap godowns and shops posing significant fire hazards and environmental threats, the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) has announced stringent measures. Effective from next week, the civic body will initiate the disconnection of water supply to all such unauthorized units situated in Jadhav Wadi, Chikhali, and Kudalwadi areas.
Addressing the pressing issue, Shekhar Singh, municipal commissioner of PCMC, emphasized the imperative need for action in light of the recurring fire incidents plaguing these areas. The unchecked proliferation of illegal structures not only endangers the safety of residents but also contributes to environmental degradation. The decision to sever water supply serves as a firm stance against the flagrant violation of regulations governing such establishments.
Over the past decade, the unchecked expansion of illegal tin sheds, scrap godowns, and shops in Jadhav Wadi, Chikhali, and Kudalwadi has reached alarming levels, with an estimated 5,000 unauthorized structures now dotting these regions. Despite operating without requisite fire safety measures or official approvals, these entities continue to thrive, allegedly with the complicity of certain elected representatives.
The urgency of the situation was underscored by a major fire outbreak on April 6 in the Kudalwadi area, which engulfed more than 150 illegal scrap shops and godowns. The incident, coupled with frequent fire occurrences, underscores the critical need for decisive action to mitigate potential disasters.
A joint inspection conducted by the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) and PCMC revealed alarming environmental violations by the scrap godowns and shops, including the release of toxic waste, untreated sewage discharge, and air pollution through the burning of industrial waste. These establishments, predominantly storing various scrap materials, pose a significant risk to public health and environmental well-being.
