Bawadhan RMC Plants Row: Citizens Launch ‘Email Blitzkrieg’, Over 2,000 Emails Sent to Authorities
Residents of Bawadhan have launched a digital campaign against what they allege are illegal and polluting Ready-MMix Concrete (RMC) plants operating in the area. More than 2,000 emails were reportedly sent to government authorities on October 6, with citizens expecting the campaign to cross 50,000 emails within the next three days.
Residents Step Up Protest Against RMC Plants
Pune’s Bawadhan residents have launched an ‘Email Blitzkrieg’ campaign to draw the administration’s attention to alleged illegal and polluting RMC plants in the area. Citizens say they have been raising complaints for more than two years, submitting emails, photographs, videos and other evidence to various government agencies, but claim that the situation on the ground has not changed significantly.
According to the residents, complaints have been submitted to the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB), Pune District Collector, Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) and PMRDA. They also say the matter has been taken up with the Chief Minister’s Office, Chief Secretary, Environment and Climate Change Department and Urban Development Department.
Over 2,000 Emails Sent on the First Day
As part of the latest campaign, residents began sending individual complaints directly to government authorities. More than 2,000 emails were reportedly sent on the first day to the Chief Minister, Chief Secretary, senior officials from the Environment and Climate Change Department and Urban Development Department, along with MPCB, PMC, PMRDA, the District Collector and other concerned authorities.
Residents involved in the campaign believe that the growing participation could result in more than 50,000 emails being sent over the next three days.
Citizens Question Repeated Inspections and Notices
Residents claim that several complaints and inspections have already taken place and that notices have also been issued to some RMC plants. They further allege that despite directions for action against certain units, operations have continued.
The citizens have pointed to observations and directions contained in MPCB reports regarding some of the RMC plants. According to the residents, these developments have strengthened their demand for effective implementation of the action already initiated by the authorities.
Seven RMC Plants in Residential Area Alleged
The residents have raised concerns over the presence of seven RMC plants within the same residential area, alleging that their operations contribute to dust and pollution, concrete slurry and continuous movement of heavy vehicles.
According to the campaign organisers, these activities have raised concerns related to public health, road safety and the environment in Bawadhan.
Residents have also brought to the administration’s attention concerns regarding the location of some RMC plants in or near the HEMRL defence-restricted zone. They have sought clarity on construction permissions, land use, planning approvals and applicable defence-related restrictions.
‘Citizens Want Action, Not Another Notice’
Citizen advocate Krunal Ghare said the latest campaign was intended to ensure that the administration understands that the issue involves a large number of residents.
“Perhaps complaints submitted through a few representatives created an impression that this was an issue concerning only a limited number of citizens. Now, every resident of Bawadhan will directly communicate their grievance to the administration,” Ghare said.
Residents Question the Repeated Complaint Cycle
The campaign organisers have questioned the repeated sequence of complaints, inspections and notices without what they consider to be effective action.
They have raised the question: “Citizens complain → officials inspect → notice is issued → no action is taken → citizens complain again → another inspection takes place — when will this cycle end?”
Residents say they do not want another inspection, notice or letter, but are seeking concrete and legally enforceable action against the alleged illegal and polluting RMC plants.
The ‘Email Blitzkrieg’ is being described by the organisers as only the first phase of the campaign. They have appealed to every Bawadhan resident affected by alleged RMC-related pollution to independently register their complaint with the concerned authorities.
The residents have said that the campaign will continue until action is taken against the RMC plants they allege are operating illegally and causing pollution in the area.