July 25, 2025: A Right to Information (RTI) query has uncovered that the Vasai-Virar City Municipal Corporation (VVCMC) has failed to establish a Construction and Demolition (C&D) waste processing plant, despite the requirement being in place since 2016. This omission raises serious concerns regarding environmental compliance and waste management in the rapidly developing region.
The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change introduced the Construction and Demolition Waste Management Rules on March 29, 2016, mandating all local bodies to properly manage such waste within their jurisdiction. However, in response to the RTI, VVCMC admitted that although a proposal for the C&D plant has been submitted, it is still awaiting approval.
C&D waste management is crucial for reducing dust and pollution caused by demolition activities and for processing debris into reusable materials. Failure to do so can adversely affect the Air Quality Index (AQI), especially in urban areas witnessing frequent construction and demolition.
Earlier this year, VVCMC demolished 41 illegal buildings and cleared large areas of unauthorised construction. Despite these actions, there is no evidence of systematic disposal or processing of the resulting debris. The civic body, in a letter to the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) last year, even admitted to dumping waste in low-lying areas — a direct violation of the 2016 C&D Rules.
Deputy Municipal Commissioner Archana Dive confirmed that a site in Gokhivare, Vasai East, has been identified for the proposed C&D plant. “The proposal has been finalised and once approved, construction will begin,” she said.
Meanwhile, senior MPCB officials from Thane stated they have sent multiple reminders to the municipal commissioner but have yet to receive data on the current handling of C&D waste in Vasai-Virar, further highlighting administrative lapses.
Source: Times Of India
