Mumbai, July 24 (KNN) Pune region stands ahead in the state for the highest number of ‘red industries’ along with ranks first in terms of hazardous waste generation, states the Maharashtra Economic Survey Report 2018-19.
The report declares that Pune region has a total of 5,306 ‘red industries.’ Out of the total industries, 1,377 are large, 322 are medium and 3,637 are small ones.

The pollution index of any industry sector starts from 0 to 100 and with its increase, it declares the degrees of pollution load from the particular industrial sector.  Pollution index score of 60 and above it indicates ‘red category’. Along with, hazardous wastes have the properties which make them that dangerous and potentially harmful to both human health and the environment.

The report declares, Pune is followed by Nashik and Kolhapur where 2,680 and 2,100 red industries are present. A total of 20,648 red industries have been identified all over the state. Sub-regional officer, Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB), Pune, Upendra Kulkarni, said, “It is true that Pune has the highest number of red industries, and in the same time we have not ignored the number of white and green industries.We have strict norms for sewage treatment plant (STPs), so there is no need to worry,” Kulkarni added.

Sunil Joshi, an environmentalist, said, “As Pune ranks top in the list of maximum red industries, it will have a negative impact on the health of people. The pollution control board has to put such industries in the public domain. MPCB officials should come up with heavy fines and strict actions against such industries” he added.

Report states, “in terms of generating hazardous waste, Pune stands at the top in 2017-18. In this category, Pune has the highest number of 1,311 industries for this cause. Pune is followed by Kalyan having, 905 industries and Navi Mumbai with 722 industries, including small, medium and large scale industries”.

A total of 6,353 industries are there generating hazardous waste in the state. Common facilities have been set up in four different locations for the management of hazardous waste. These are, Taloja and Trans Thane Creek industrial areas of MIDC in Thane, Ranjangaon in Pune and Butibori in Nagpur, the Survey Report declares. (KNN/ VS)