The gram panchayats of Loni Kalbhor and Kadamwakvasti have not taken concrete action to address waste dumping along the banks of the Mula-Mutha river, the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) said in a report filed on June 10, 2026.
The matter relates to the dumping of waste in the Mula-Mutha riverbed and at Gat number 113 in Loni Kalbhor, located towards the north-east of the MIT Art, Design and Technology University.
The report said Loni Kalbhor gram panchayat generates around 7 metric tonnes of municipal solid waste a day, while Kadamwakvasti gram panchayat generates around 6 metric tonnes a day. Under the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2026, the gram panchayats are required to obtain authorisation from the State Pollution Control Board.
MPCB officials first visited the site on March 1, 2026, after a newspaper report on toxic fumes in Loni Kalbhor and a complaint from Ram Shigri dated January 5, 2026.
Officials observed huge heaps of municipal solid waste dumped unscientifically at the site. Significant quantities of waste were found spread across the area and in the Mula-Mutha river. Villagers present during the visit said frequent fires had occurred at the dumping site, and that nearby residents, students and employees of MIT college were suffering from foul smell and fumes caused by the burning of solid waste.
Used plastic, plastic carry bags, construction and demolition waste, hotel waste, thermocol, waste clothes, dead animal parts and slaughter waste from mutton and chicken shops were found on the riverbank and in the river. Officials also noticed foul smell due to decomposition and burning of waste.
The report said Loni Kalbhor gram panchayat had not obtained authorisation or any legal document for Gat number 113 under the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2026. Air quality monitored at MIT College, Loni Kalbhor, near the dumping site on March 1 and March 2, 2026, exceeded the prescribed limits.
MPCB issued a non-compliance letter on March 5, 2026, to the Deputy Chief Executive Officer (Panchayat), Pune Zilla Parishad, the Gram Vikas Adhikari of Loni Kalbhor and the Gram Vikas Adhikari of Kadamwakvasti.
To verify the present status, MPCB officials again visited the site on May 13, 2026. They found large quantities of municipal solid waste behind MIT college, along the banks and bed of the Mula-Mutha river, and near a nullah passing through the college. Burning of waste was also observed.
The report said the two gram panchayats had neither removed the dumped waste nor taken precautionary measures to prevent waste from entering the river. They had also neither obtained nor applied for authorisation under the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2026, and had not submitted any response.
MPCB issued proposed directions on June 4, 2026, to the gram panchayats of Loni Kalbhor and Kadamwakvasti under the Water Act, 1974, the Air Act, 1981, and the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2026.
The Gujarat Pollution Control Board has taken appropriate action on complaints regarding the discharge of liquid waste by five chemical and pharmaceutical industries into open grounds at Saykha GIDC Estate in Bharuch district, the Central Pollution Control Board said in a report filed before the National Green Tribunal on June 10, 2026.
The matter concerns the alleged discharge of untreated or partially treated liquid waste contaminated with hazardous chemicals into open grounds, resulting in groundwater degradation and harm to the surrounding environment.
The five units named in the matter are Sejal Chem Tech Industries, Shlokka Dyes, Aries Colour Chem, Sky Intermediates and Horbax Medicines, all located in Saykha GIDC Estate, Vagra taluka, Bharuch district.
The applicant alleged that four cattle had died after consuming toxic waste accumulated in an area adjoining Horbax Medicines. The applicant also said the units were not complying with safeguards under the Water Act, the Air Act, the Manufacture, Storage and Import of Hazardous Chemical Rules, 1989, and the Hazardous and Other Wastes Management Rules, 2016.
The CPCB report said permissions related to consolidated consent and authorisation are issued and handled by the State Pollution Control Board. CPCB obtained the status of the five industries from GPCB.
According to the report, GPCB inspected the five units and the Saykha common effluent treatment plant on December 18, 2025. Subsequently, closure directions, show-cause directions or notices of direction were issued to all five units and the common effluent treatment plant.
For instance, GPCB issued a closure direction to Shlokka Dyes on January 9, 2026, for discharging untreated wastewater outside its premises into an open earthen drain or land, and for gross mismanagement of its effluent treatment plant. The unit was inspected again on January 20, 2026. Based on its compliance status, the closure direction was revoked on January 23, 2026. GPCB collected an interim environmental damage cost of Rs 3,40,000 from the unit.
Similarly, a notice of direction was issued to the Saykha common effluent treatment plant on January 8, 2026, over the unsatisfactory operational status of treatment units and poor record-keeping on the quantity of effluent received, treated and hazardous waste disposed of.