Pune: National Green Tribunal Orders Maharashtra Pollution Control Board to Assess Damage from Milk Plant Pollution

Pune, 18th February 2026: The National Green Tribunal has directed the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) to assess and determine environmental compensation for damage allegedly caused by the Mahanand milk powder project at Varvand in Daund taluka of Pune district.

The project, currently operated by the National Dairy Development Board, has faced repeated complaints from local residents over alleged air and water pollution. The plant uses coal-fired boilers, which residents claim cause significant air pollution. According to locals, thick black smoke and dust from the unit have settled on nearby houses and agricultural fields, leaving them coated in soot.

Residents allege that deteriorating air quality has led to health problems such as coughing, breathing difficulties and other respiratory ailments. They also claim untreated wastewater is being discharged from the plant, contaminating nearby water sources and causing foul odours in the area.

Following protests by villagers, the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board issued a notice to the project in April last year citing inadequate measures to control coal storage and air pollution. However, residents say no effective corrective steps were taken, prompting them to approach the tribunal.

Acting on the complaint, the tribunal has instructed the MPCB to evaluate the extent of environmental damage and determine the compensation amount. The next hearing in the matter is scheduled for March 11.

In line with the tribunal’s directions, inspection and assessment of pollution levels at the plant are currently underway. MPCB Sub-Regional Officer Kartikeya Langote said that once the assessment is completed, environmental compensation will be calculated within a month. A notice will then be issued and a hearing conducted before finalising the amount.

Local resident Sangram Divekar said that despite earlier action by the pollution control board, pollution from the project continues. He demanded immediate measures to stop it, stating that the situation poses a serious threat to public health.