Pune: Undri Residents Renew Demand to Shut Down RMC Plants; Supriya Sule Warns of July 7 Protest Over Pollution, Health Concerns

Reported by Shoaib Tadvi

Undri, 30th June 2026: Alleging that multiple Ready-Mix Concrete (RMC) plants operating near residential societies in Undri have exposed thousands of residents to dust pollution, deteriorating roads and health hazards, Member of Parliament Supriya Sule has warned that she will stage a protest outside the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) headquarters on July 7 at 10:30 am if the plants are not shut down.

The issue, repeatedly raised by residents over the past two years, has once again come into focus after Sule accused civic authorities of failing to honour their assurances despite several rounds of follow-up.

In a social media post, Sule said the presence of RMC plants close to residential areas has significantly increased pollution and adversely affected the health of local residents.

“There are RMC plants near the residential area here in Undri. As a result, pollution in the area has increased significantly, and citizens are grappling with health problems. In addition, vehicles from these plants have caused the roads in the area to fall into disrepair. Moreover, these vehicles are driven recklessly, putting commuters’ lives at risk. Numerous accidents have occurred in this locality, and some citizens have even lost their lives.

 “For the past few months, I have personally been following up to get these plants shut down. However, the Municipal Corporation has only been giving assurances to citizens. The fact that these plants have still not been closed is extremely infuriating. Therefore, if these environmentally damaging RMC plants are not shut down by July 7, I will stage a protest outside the Municipal Corporation at 10:30 am on July 7 along with local citizens.”

According to residents, officials from the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) visited the area earlier this year and assured them that the matter would be examined. The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) also assured residents that the RMC plants would be shut down by the end of May. However, residents allege that although operations briefly stopped, the plants resumed functioning within two days, leaving them disappointed and questioning the implementation of the assurances.

The issue has also been highlighted by the Undri Town Hall Forum, which represents residents of Godrej Prana, Tata Inora Park and Godrej Greens. In a memorandum submitted to various government authorities, the forum alleged that multiple RMC plants are operating close to residential societies, adversely affecting public health, damaging infrastructure and threatening the local environment. The memorandum also questions whether the required environmental and social impact assessments were conducted before permitting such industrial activity in a rapidly developing residential locality.

Residents Describe Two-Year Struggle

Radiya Gohil, Treasurer of Godrej Prana, said the issue has persisted despite repeated complaints to various government departments.

 “When we first raised this issue, there was only one RMC plant. Today there are two, three, and we don’t even know the exact number because more continue to come up. These plants are operating extremely close to our residential societies and near Autadewadi Lake. We approached the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board regarding the pollution. During Supriya Tai’s visit, MPCB officials told us they would look into the matter, while the PMC Commissioner assured residents that the plants would be shut by May 31. However, they remained closed for only two days before resuming operations.”

She said residents were later informed that the plants were outside the pollution-sensitive zone and were therefore allowed to continue operations.

 “Just visit our homes. Every house has a visible layer of cement dust. Children, senior citizens and residents suffering from respiratory illnesses are facing allergies and breathing problems. We moved away from the city hoping to live in a greener and healthier environment, not beside industrial plants. Whether these plants are legal or illegal is for the authorities to determine, but they must be relocated immediately because they have no place so close to residential societies.”

Gohil also alleged that construction activity has affected Autadewadi Lake, claiming that roads have been built through portions of the lake while excessive water consumption by the RMC plants is impacting groundwater levels.

‘The Situation Has Only Become Worse’

Sanghamitra Karmakar, a resident of Godrej Prana, said residents have witnessed a steady increase in the number of RMC plants despite repeatedly approaching the authorities.

 “Two years ago there was only one RMC plant. After we complained to the MPCB, instead of decreasing, the number has increased and today there are nearly five plants. Whether they are authorised or unauthorised is for the authorities to determine, but such industrial activity should never be allowed this close to residential buildings.”

She said heavy vehicles now operate throughout the day and night.

“We hear blasting noises almost every day, even during the night. Cement mixers and dumpers operate round the clock and have badly damaged the roads connecting Undri with NIBM and Wanowrie. We came here expecting greenery and a healthy lifestyle, but today it feels like an industrial area. The excessive extraction of groundwater is also affecting Autadewadi Lake, which is gradually drying up. Children, senior citizens and people suffering from asthma are among the worst affected.”

‘Clean Air Is Our Right’

Anand Manaktala, a resident of Tata Inora Park, questioned the findings of official inspections.

 “The air is visibly polluted because of these RMC plants. During inspections, water is sprinkled around the site to temporarily suppress the dust, after which authorities claim there is no pollution.”

He said cement dust has become part of residents’ daily lives.

 “We have to clean our homes repeatedly because cement dust settles everywhere. Many residents have developed respiratory illnesses, including asthma. This is a residential locality, not an industrial zone. Clean air is our right, and these plants should be relocated. We have been fighting this issue for a long time, but it has reached a dead end.”

Heavy Vehicle Movement Raises Safety Concerns

Archana Dube, a resident of Tata Inora Park, said residents are facing both environmental and safety concerns.

“The RMC plants operating in the Undri area, so close to residential societies, have made life extremely difficult for residents. We are falling sick due to the polluted air, while the continuous movement of cement mixers and dumpers throughout the day and night has damaged the roads, making them dangerous for everyone. Driving has become extremely risky because gravel and construction debris are scattered across the roads, causing two-wheelers to skid. Several accidents have already taken place due to the rash driving of heavy vehicles. Residents are living in constant fear every time they step out. We want to know what the Pune Municipal Corporation, Maharashtra Pollution Control Board and our elected representatives are doing, and why no effective action has been taken despite repeated complaints. Citizens deserve clean air, safe roads and a healthy environment, and we urge the authorities to act immediately.”

Residents List Their Major Concerns

According to the memorandum submitted by the Undri Town Hall Forum, residents have raised the following concerns:

More than 5,000 families residing in Godrej Prana, Tata Inora Park and Godrej Greens are reportedly affected by the RMC plants.

Multiple RMC plants are operating close to residential societies, with residents alleging that additional units continue to come up despite repeated complaints.

Cement dust and emissions from the plants are allegedly causing respiratory illnesses, allergies and other health problems, particularly among children, senior citizens and people with pre-existing medical conditions.

The continuous movement of cement mixers, dumpers and other heavy vehicles has severely damaged public roads, creating safety hazards and increasing the risk of accidents.

Residents allege that excessive groundwater extraction for RMC operations is adversely affecting Autadewadi Lake, an important local water body and habitat for several bird species and aquatic life.

Undri continues to face acute water scarcity, with many housing societies dependent on groundwater and private water tankers. Residents fear the RMC plants are worsening the water crisis.

The forum has questioned the basis on which permissions were granted for the RMC plants and whether proper environmental and social impact assessments were conducted before permitting such industrial activity near densely populated residential areas.

With MP Supriya Sule announcing a protest on July 7 if the RMC plants are not shut down, residents say they hope the authorities will finally address their long-pending concerns over pollution, road safety, groundwater depletion, the condition of Autadewadi Lake, and the health of thousands of families living in the rapidly developing Undri area.