The state pollution control board has been asked by the environment ministry to follow ‘stricter than usual criteria’ for clearance of new projects. Five other regions in the state figure in the critically polluted list (70 per cent and above in the index) — Chandrapur, Aurangabad, Dombivili, Tarapur, Navi Mumbai — and have been barred from allowing new industries for the next six months.

Nashik and Chembur too are in the severely polluted category. Member secretary of MPCB Mahesh Phatak said, “A new plan to check air, water and soil pollution will be readied for the area by the regional officer of the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB). With the industrial town high on pollution, the plan will have new parameters,” he said. Pune region officer of the MPCB, PK Mirashe said he has been directed to carry out a thorough survey of the industrial area and check on the parameters which have led to the rise in pollution in the area.

“From air pollution to industrial waste released in water bodies and even soil pollution, we have to monitor all aspects. We have to use the latest technology to try and prevent further pollution and bring the score on pollution index below 60,” he said. A senior officer from CPCB said that out of the 88 industrial clusters surveyed in the country 43 were critically polluted, while 32 were in the severely polluted category. “Its for the first time that such a ranking system has been introduced by the environment ministry so as to initiate proper action against the heavily polluted industrial clusters in the country.