Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar: The Marathwada Association of Small Scale Industries and Agriculture (MASSIA) has demanded the establishment of a Common Hazardous Waste Treatment and Disposal Facility for industries in the region, citing growing environmental and safety concerns due to fragmented waste management practices.
Urgent Need for Centralized Facility
The demand was raised during a joint meeting with Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC) officials on Tuesday. Gajanan Deshmukh, president of MASSIA, emphasized that a centralized facility is urgently needed to manage industrial waste efficiently. "The industrial hub of Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar has multiple generators of hazardous waste of different forms. A common facility will deal with such waste and can effectively protect human health and the environment," he said.
Infrastructure Woes Highlighted
Alongside the key demand, industry representatives highlighted several long-pending infrastructure issues within MIDC estates. Deshmukh noted, "The infrastructure within industrial estates needs to be improved. Official attention is needed towards the poor condition of roads, inadequate water supply pressure, street lighting, and drainage systems." MASSIA members also flagged encroachments on MIDC land, particularly on open plots and roadsides, where unauthorized commercial activities allegedly take place, including the sale of liquor, meat, fruits, and vegetables within industrial zones.
Arjun Gaikwad, past president of MASSIA, warned, "These encroachments not only obstruct traffic flow but also pose a significant safety risk to workers, employees, and women working in nearby companies."
Service Road and Congestion
The meeting further discussed the need for acquiring land for a service road to ease congestion on the Pune-Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar route, a key industrial corridor.
MIDC Assures Action
Responding to the concerns, MIDC officials assured action. Deshmukh stated, "MIDC chief engineer Balasaheb Zhanje and executive engineer Ravindra Giri assured us that the pressing issues would be resolved on a priority basis and that necessary action would be taken. It is also decided to hold regular meetings to avoid the communication gap."
Industry representatives expressed expectations of time-bound action on the issues raised, particularly the hazardous waste facility, which they termed critical for sustainable industrial growth in the region.
