Urgent Action Needed to Reduce Air Pollution in Jalna: Environment Minister Pankaja Munde

Mumbai, December 2025 : Environment and Climate Change Minister Pankaja Munde reviewed the measures being taken to reduce pollution in Jalna and Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar. Expressing concern over air pollution in Jalna, she directed officials to take necessary steps to control pollution. She also instructed senior officers to immediately act against industries causing pollution after conducting a high-level meeting.

A review meeting regarding air and water pollution in the Jalna Industrial Area and the Walunj, Shendra, and AURIC City industrial areas of Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar was held today at Mantralaya, chaired by Minister Munde. Present during the meeting were Department Secretary Jayashree Bhoj, Maharashtra Pollution Control Board Member Secretary M. Devender Singh, Joint Director (Air Pollution) Satish Padwal, along with regional officers from both districts, and officials from MIDC and district administrations, who attended through video conferencing.

It was noted that dust particles from steel industries in the Jalna Industrial Area are causing increased air pollution. Several complaints have been received on this issue. The dust particles are affecting the health of citizens, making it essential to control the pollution. Therefore, companies have been instructed to upgrade their primary air pollution control systems. Minister Munde clearly directed that strict action be taken against industries that fail to make these improvements.

In the Walunj Industrial Area of Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, a sewage treatment unit is operational to prevent water pollution. Permission has been granted for 100 percent reuse of treated water. Hence, Minister Munde instructed that processed wastewater must not be released into the Kham River and should instead be reused with necessary precautions.

Member Secretary Singh provided information regarding pollution levels in Jalna and Walunj and briefed about actions taken by the Pollution Control Board. Air quality monitoring in the Jalna Industrial Area is being conducted using a mobile vehicle to track pollution levels. Singh also mentioned that 53 industries in the Walunj Industrial Area have been instructed to not discharge untreated wastewater into the sewage plant.