Everest spices admits to lapses in operation

Everest Spices, which has a factory at Vikhroli, has admitted to lapses in its operation, a month after the state pollution control board issued a show cause notice against the company for allegedly causing health problems to local residents.

"In December, our water scrubber that gets rid of the particulate matter and pollutants emanating from our production units broke down and it took time to get fixed," said Satish Kumar, technical manager, Everest Spices. "But locals are exaggerating about their health problems." Kumar added, "We have taken corrective measures."

In December, locals in Suryanagar and Ramnagar located behind the factory filed complaints with the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board through local NCP activist Sudhir Singh that emissions from the factory was causing skin irritation, wheezing and sore eyes and demanded the factory be shut down. Following the show cause notice, the factory had voluntarily shut operations for two days. Next month, MPCB will conduct a joint inspection with Singh.

Sanjay Sagwekar, MPCB official, said, "In our initial inspection, we found the water scrubber was defunct and respiratory suspended particulate matter was above permissible limits due to emissions."