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Role of the Pollution Control Board under the Maharashtra Regional and Town Planning Act, 1966 (Special Township Act)
The Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) plays an essential role in ensuring that development projects, particularly special townships, are carried out in an environmentally sustainable manner. The Mumbai Metropolitan Regional Plan and the Pune Regional Plan provide clear frameworks for the integration of environmental considerations into the planning and execution of such projects.
Maharashtra Pollution Control Board’s Role in Special Township Projects
Mumbai Metropolitan Regional Plan
Under the Mumbai Metropolitan Regional Plan, the Development Control Rules (amended on 10th March, 2006) include specific provisions that outline the responsibilities of the Pollution Control Board. These provisions focus on environmental sustainability, especially concerning drainage and waste disposal systems in special township projects. The following are key areas where the Board’s involvement is essential:
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Eco-friendly Infrastructure: The developer must ensure that environmentally responsible arrangements are made for the disposal and treatment of sewage and solid waste. The MPCB’s role in this context is to guide and assist in the design and implementation of an eco-friendly system using recycling and biodegradation technologies. The Board’s involvement ensures that these systems meet the required standards and address potential environmental impacts effectively.
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Completion Certificate: The issuance of a final completion certificate for the scheme requires consultation with the MPCB and other relevant authorities. The Board’s responsibility here is to examine the project in detail, evaluating any potential environmental impacts and verifying that appropriate mitigation measures have been implemented. This ensures that the project complies with environmental norms and does not pose harm to the surrounding environment.
Pune Regional Plan
Similar to the Mumbai Metropolitan Regional Plan, the Pune Regional Plan also requires the active involvement of the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board in overseeing the environmental aspects of township development. The role of the MPCB in the Pune Regional Plan involves ensuring that projects adhere to the necessary environmental standards, particularly in waste disposal and treatment systems.
In addition, the Draft Regulation for the Development of Integrated Township Projects (ITP) issued by the Government in Urban Development Department further reinforces the Board’s role. According to the Annexure-B to the ITP notice (TPS-1816/CR-368/15/20(3)/UD-13, dated 07/06/2016), developers are required to establish arrangements for the disposal and treatment of sewage and solid waste as per MPCB norms. The MPCB is tasked with issuing detailed norms for these arrangements to ensure the proper handling of waste at the source.
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The role of the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board in the planning and execution of special township projects is pivotal in ensuring that these developments are sustainable and minimize environmental impacts. By setting and enforcing guidelines for waste disposal, treatment systems, and overall environmental impact, the MPCB contributes to the successful and responsible development of townships under both the Mumbai Metropolitan Regional Plan and the Pune Regional Plan.
