59 Maharashtra industries fined for illegal hazardous waste disposal

MUMBAI: The Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) has directed 59 industrial units to pay fine for unlawful storage and disposal of large quantities of hazardous waste in their premises.

"There are 5,428 hazardous waste generating industries in Maharashtra. The volume of hazardous waste generated is estimated to be around 18 lakh MT per year," according to the 2011-12 Economic Survey of the state, which was tabled in the ongoing Budget session of the legislature.

Common facilities for management of hazardous waste have been set up at four locations in the state, including Taloja (Thane), Ranjangaon in Pune and Butibori in Nagpur.

Fifty-nine industries have been asked by MPCB to pay fine (amount not specified) for unlawful storage and disposal of hazardous waste in their premises. They have been directed to send the hazardous waste to the common treatment facilities, the survey said.

MPCB, the nodal agency for implementation of pollution related acts, has authorised seven industries to recycle e-waste, it said.