MIDC Issues Notices to Top Developers to Mitigate Pollution in Hinjewadi IT Park

The Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC) has taken a proactive step to address the growing concerns of air and sound pollution in the Hinjewadi IT Park. Notices have been issued to four prominent real estate developers—Reyaansh Logistics, Gera Projects, Godrej Properties, and Pegassus Properties—urging them to implement measures to mitigate the environmental impact of their construction activities.

Area residents have been raising several complaints with the industrial authority regarding improperly covered and overloaded trucks carrying earth and debris, leading to significant dust accumulation on the road surface. The Megapolis area, a large residential real estate cluster in phase III of Hinjewadi, is particularly affected by these issues. Multiple developers are currently constructing various projects in this region.

This is the second time MIDC has issued notices to developers in the area based on residents' complaints. MIDC Executive Engineer RG Totla stated, 'Debris and dust from the vehicles cause significant health hazards to Megapolis area residents, who we recently met. We have directed the developers to comply with the guidelines.'

All four developers have responded to the notices, asserting their commitment to environmental norms. Godrej Projects, through a company spokesperson, said, 'As a responsible and environmentally conscious real estate developer, Godrej Projects remains fully committed to complying with all applicable regulations across its project sites. It will immediately seek to address any identified lapses. Sustainability, transparency, and regulatory compliance are central to the company's operations, and we are engaging with relevant authorities to address their concerns.'

Gera Developments also issued a statement, emphasizing their compliance with air and sound pollution control guidelines issued by MIDC and the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB). They have been implementing measures such as covered transportation of materials, dust suppression through water sprinkling and fogging, restricted vehicle movement, installation of CCTV and air quality monitoring systems, and adherence to prescribed working hours. 'MIDC's recent communication reiterated these requirements and introduced a few additional measures which Gera was in the process of implementing immediately at the site. We remain fully committed to regulatory compliance, environmental responsibility, and minimizing inconvenience to the surrounding community,' the statement read.

Reyaansh Logistics's Samar Gite confirmed that the company had responded to the MIDC query and is compliant with the conditions mentioned in the notice. Pegassus Properties, however, could not be reached for comment at the time of going to press.

Local residents have been vocal about the issues they face due to noise and dust pollution. Satyajit Rautray, a resident, highlighted the need for water sprinkling on the roads and cleaning of truck tires to prevent dust pollution. 'We have raised the issue with the local authorities, and some measures are being implemented after their intervention,' he said.

Prateek Joshi, who has lived in the area for over seven years, mentioned that he has stopped using a two-wheeler due to the slippery roads caused by dust and debris. 'Building residents keep their doors and windows closed round the clock because of continuous construction dust. The decibel levels and air quality have worsened significantly, even during early mornings,' he added.

Nitin Sharma, another resident, expressed his concerns about the health impacts on children and senior citizens. 'The noise and air quality are like that of an industrial area rather than a residential one due to continuous construction activity. It is taking a toll on people's health,' he said.

The MIDC's actions and the developers' responses indicate a growing awareness and commitment to environmental responsibility in the real estate sector. Continuous monitoring and enforcement of guidelines will be crucial to ensuring that the living conditions in the Megapolis area of Hinjewadi IT Park improve.