Pune: Sinhagad Road Residents Demand Action against RMC Plants, Warn of Stir
Pune, 24th April 2026: Residents of the Sinhagad Road area on Friday demanded the immediate closure and relocation of an allegedly illegal Ready-Mix Concrete (RMC) plants operating near residential localities in Vadgaon Khurd, Dhayari and the Prayeja City area, warning of an intensified agitation if authorities fail to act.
Addressing a press conference, members of the Sinhagad Road RMC Plant Virdho Kruti Samiti said the plant should first be shifted outside Pune Municipal Corporation limits before any policy framework for such units is framed. They insisted that RMC plants should not be allowed near densely populated residential areas.
The residents warned that if repeated protests continue to be ignored, they may intensify the agitation and even block the convoy of the chief minister during his Pune visit to draw attention to the issue.
They also alleged that Rajya Sabha MP Medha Kulkarni had conducted an on-site inspection earlier and directed that the plants be relocated, but her instructions were ignored.
Residents claimed life in the area had become difficult due to dust pollution, respiratory ailments and accidents caused by speeding heavy vehicles linked to the RMC plant. They alleged that cement particles remain suspended in the air and enter nearby homes, affecting children and senior citizens.
According to the committee, the stretch from Dattakrishnai Mangal Karyalaya to Prayeja City, Madhukosh Society and adjoining areas is severely affected by dust from the plant and by cement spillage from dumpers and mixer trucks moving through the locality.
They said thousands of people reside in housing societies such as Prayeja City, Prayeja Puram and Aryan Residency. Despite narrow roads in the area, heavy vehicles linked to the plant are allegedly driven at high speed, endangering pedestrians. Residents cited a recent incident in which a woman pedestrian was allegedly crushed to death by a mixer truck.
The residents said that the Pune Municipal Corporation Standing Committee had earlier passed a resolution to shift RMC plants out of residential areas, while Medha Kulkarni had also instructed that the units be shut immediately.
According to the residents, demolition or enforcement action was scheduled on April 17, but was allegedly stalled after prior information was leaked to plant operators and instructions were received from higher authorities to stop the drive.
They further alleged that some RMC plants in the area belonged to local political leaders and therefore enjoyed political protection. They questioned why action was taken against similar plants in Lohgaon, Khandvenagar, other parts of Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad, but not in the Sinhagad Road area.
The committee has demanded the immediate relocation of RMC plants from Vadgaon, suspension of the official accused of leaking enforcement plans, and legal action against those who allegedly intervened to halt the proposed crackdown.
