Luxury carmaker Mercedes-Benz has been issued a notice by the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) for allegedly violating environmental regulations at its Chakan manufacturing plant near Pune, as reported by NDTV.
Jagannath Salunkhe, the regional officer of MPCB, stated that a team from the board, including sub-divisional officers, had inspected the Chakan facility, where multiple breaches of pollution norms were discovered. As a result, Mercedes-Benz has been given 15 days to respond to the notice.
The notice was issued after a surprise inspection in August, led by Chairman Siddesh Kadam and other officials. The report highlights that the sewage treatment plant’s clarifiers and centrifuge units were not operational, and the company had not installed emission control devices for diesel engines, as required.
According to the notice, “The sewage treatment plant is not properly operated and maintained, and the company is not adhering to pollution control regulations.” The MPCB’s scrutiny has raised concerns about the company’s environmental practices.
In response, Mercedes-Benz India confirmed receipt of the notice and assured that it would thoroughly review the issues raised and cooperate with government authorities. The company’s Chakan facility, which spans over 100 acres, has been operational since 2009.
