Summary:
“We have started discussing alternative technologies, which will minimize the pollution levels at these plants,” said a roads department official. Sources in the KMC roads department said a discussion was under way on whether to adopt an alternative heating process in the plants to produce hot-mix materials which will produce less fumes. They will also suggest, from time to time, measures to keep these plants operational.The panel on Saturday held a meeting with Ratan De, member, mayor-in-council overseeing the KMC roads department, and discussed the measures to be taken to improve the hot-mix plants and make them environment-friendly.De later said the roads department would appeal before the NGT to give the KMC six months to improve the condition of the plants. He, however, refused to elaborate on the technology.The committee will also monitor the condition of roads before and after repair. We welcome suggestions from the members of the expert committee,” the MMiC said.Setting up the committee was necessary following a National Green Tribunal (NGT) order that asked the civic body to close down the hot-mix plants on pollution grounds..