NGT’s Western Zone Bench recorded that the Advanced Centre for Treatment, Research and Education in Cancer, known as Tata Cancer Hospital, stated that blasting vibrations caused structural damage to campus buildings, and dust clouds frequently exceeded permissible limits and posed respiratory hazards, particularly to patients undergoing chemotherapy

Navi Mumbai: Taking note of concerns raised by the Kharghar-based Tata Cancer Hospital over quarry blasting and dust pollution affecting its buildings and patients, National Green Tribunal (NGT) has sought a response from the Raigad district collector.NGT’s western zone bench recorded that Advanced Centre for Treatment, Research and Education in Cancer (ACTREC), known as Tata Cancer Hospital, stated that blasting vibrations caused structural damage to campus buildings, and dust clouds frequently exceeded permissible limits and posed respiratory hazards, particularly to patients undergoing chemotherapy.The bench directed that ACTREC’s affidavit be served on the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) and other parties, giving them two weeks to file rejoinders, if any. The bench, comprising judicial member Justice Dinesh Kumar Singh and expert member Dr Sujit Kumar Bajpayee, heard an application filed by NatConnect Foundation director B N Kumar, along with a connected suo motu case based on a media report on the quarry menace.The NGT flagged a lack of clarity over quarrying after 2020-21. An MPCB affidavit, citing a Directorate of Geology and Mining report, said quarrying historically took place over an estimated 14 hectares of survey nos. 355 and 356 at Ove, and stone crusher units were also found operational. The affidavit said quarry permissions were granted up to 2020-21, but did not clarify what happened thereafter. The NGT asked the Raigad collector to file an affidavit on the issue.In the connected case, the collector had earlier stated that the quarries operated with valid approvals up to 2020-21, and no authorisation for further excavation was found on record thereafter. NatConnect counsel Ronita Bhattacharya Bector pointed out that sounds of blasting could be heard even now and said this remained a matter of concern. She also raised concerns over dust from the operational stone crushers and its possible impact on cancer patients.The NGT noted that the four-member joint committee’s report on the quarrying issue was yet to be filed. MPCB sought another two weeks, which the bench granted as a “last opportunity”. The committee, comprising representatives of MPCB, Raigad Collectorate, Directorate of Geology and Mining and the Union environment ministry, inspected the area to examine the quarrying and crushing operations and their environmental impact.The NGT granted NatConnect two weeks to file a combined rejoinder and posted the matter for further hearing on September 15.Meanwhile, Jyoti Nadkarni, director of Swarnishta Habitat Restoration Foundation, said she has been receiving complaints from residents about continuous blasts during the day and night. She urged district authorities to investigate and seal the quarries if they were operating without permission.