TGPCB orders closure of Phoenix’s RMC plant in Puppalaguda

Manikonda: The Telangana Pollution Control Board (TGPCB) has ordered the closure of the Ready Mix Concrete (RMC) plant operated by Phoenix Spaces Pvt. Ltd. in Puppalguda Village, Gandipet.

The closure order comes after multiple complaints from residents of Navanami Residency about dust pollution and numerous non-compliance issues discovered during official inspections. It is pertinent to note that Lubna Sarwath, an environmental activist, had submitted a representation to Minister for Forest and Environment Konda Surekha and the Telangana State Pollution Control Board (TGPCB) demanding the demolition of the Phoenix RMC facility in Gandipet, Rangareddy district. Lubna Sarwath further alleged that the plant has been operating illegally since 2021.

In her statement, Lubna Sarwath highlighted serious concerns about Phoenix RMC’s operations opposite Navanami Residency in Puppalaguda. She accused the facility of destroying the Mamasani Kunta water body, vital for local hydrology and wildlife, particularly peacocks. “This red hazardous industry has operated without authorization in a residential and school zone, emitting carcinogenic dust that poses a severe health risk to the community,” she stated.

RMC plant faces closure for ignoring pollution norms

The closure order follows multiple inspections, complaints, and task force committee meetings held between August and October 2024, where the project’s repeated failures to address pollution concerns were documented.

The inspection committee found violations, including inadequate wind breaking walls not meeting the prescribed height of 10 meters. It noted, “The project has not provided barriers/wind breaking wall with height above the plant towards the complainants’ houses to control dust and noise pollution, not complying with the June 2024 revocation of closure order.”

Further, the committee observed that the RMC unit has not yet installed fixed water sprinklers to control fugitive emissions. The project has not provided settling tanks for treating wastewater from the washings, violating the CFO Order condition which states that it shall recycle washing water into the process after settling. There’s a lack of noise barriers. The RMC unit used green cloth covering instead of a closed shed for storage of stone aggregates, resulting in spreading dust to the surroundings.

The TGPCB committee opined that “the project is plying the RMC loaded vehicles outside the project site which indicates that the project is not utilizing the RMC for captive purposes violating the Consents issued by the Board to the RMC unit”.

As part of the closure order in November, TGPCB instructed the Telangana State Power Distribution Company Limited (TGSPDCL) to disconnect power supply to the RMC plant immediately. The company has been warned that continued operation could result in prosecution under the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act.