Pune: Following the discovery of multiple violations of environmental regulations at Mercedes-Benz's Chakan plant, the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) has demanded a ₹25 lakh bank guarantee from the company to ensure future compliance with prescribed norms.
The issue came to light when MPCB officials conducted inspections at the Chakan-based Mercedes-Benz facility on August 23 and September 4. The inspection revealed that the company was failing to meet critical environmental standards.
Problems included malfunctioning clarifiers and centrifuge units in the sewage treatment plant, a lack of emission control devices for diesel engines, and improper maintenance of the sewage treatment facility.
In light of these issues, MPCB issued a notice to the company on September 21, giving them 15 days to respond.
Mercedes-Benz quickly addressed the situation, submitting a response by September 26. In their statement, the company assured the board that the deficiencies found during the inspection had been rectified and that the plant was now in compliance with environmental regulations.
Sources within MPCB confirmed that while the company has complied with the immediate corrective actions, the board required a ₹25 lakh bank guarantee to ensure ongoing adherence to environmental norms. This guarantee acts as a financial safeguard, compelling the company to maintain the necessary standards.
The issue was first flagged during a surprise inspection led by MPCB Chairman Siddhesh Kadam, who was in Pune for an official event on August 23.
Accompanied by a team of officers, Kadam visited the Mercedes-Benz Chakan plant to assess its compliance with environmental guidelines. The surprise visit and the subsequent violations were briefly mentioned on social media, though the post was later removed, raising questions about the nature of the inspection.
Jagannath Salunkhe, Regional Officer of MPCB, confirmed to regional mediapersons that the violations were uncovered during the inspection, and a notice was subsequently issued.