Quarrying near ACTREC threatens cancer patients, damages hospital infrastructure: Affidavit to NGT

p>Mumbai: Unregulated quarrying and blasting activities in the Kharghar Hills near the Advanced Centre for Treatment, Research and Education in Cancer (ACTREC) have emerged as a serious threat to cancer patients, hospital infrastructure and sensitive medical equipment, according to an affidavit filed before the National Green Tribunal (NGT).In a significant development, ACTREC, a unit of the Tata Memorial Centre, has corroborated concerns raised by environmental group NatConnect Foundation, stating that dust generated by quarrying operations poses respiratory risks to vulnerable patients, particularly those undergoing chemotherapy and bone marrow transplantation. .Adverse effects of stone quarrying propel parents to keep children out of school in Karnataka's Nehru Nagar .The affidavit, signed by Wing Commander P.J. Monteiro (Retd), Chief Administrative Officer of ACTREC, and submitted before the NGT's Western Zonal Bench in Pune, states that dust clouds generated by quarrying activities frequently exceed permissible limits and create health hazards for patients and staff.The institution has also drawn attention to the impact of blasting-induced vibrations on its infrastructure and highly sensitive treatment systems. Referring to a structural audit conducted by Standard Civil Engineers Pvt Ltd on July 2, 2025, ACTREC informed the tribunal that the report had confirmed damage to buildings on the campus. ."The health and safety of cancer patients is paramount, and continued quarrying in such close proximity is a matter of concern for our institution," the affidavit stated.According to ACTREC, blasting operations have caused cracks in beams and slabs of reinforced concrete structures within the campus. The institution further warned that precision medical systems such as Proton Beam Therapy equipment, radiotherapy accelerators, research instruments and microscopes require vibration-free environments, and continued blasting could result in miscalibration and treatment inaccuracies. .The affidavit, signed on May 11 and recently uploaded before the tribunal, assumes significance as it appears to contradict the Raigad district administration's contention that no quarrying permissions have been granted since 2020-21.The NGT order records the Collector's submission that excavation permits had expired after 2020-21, although six stone-crushing units continue to operate with permissions from the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) and earlier no-objection certificates issued by local gram panchayats.NatConnect Foundation director B.N.

Kumar, who approached the tribunal against the quarrying activities, alleged that mining and blasting operations have continued unchecked despite repeated complaints, RTI disclosures and concerns raised by ACTREC. .According to the petition, dust generated by quarrying spreads across the ACTREC campus and nearby residential sectors 22, 30 and 35 in Kharghar, while vibrations also pose risks to the ongoing Kharghar-Turbhe tunnel project.Taking serious note of the matter, the NGT has constituted a four-member joint committee comprising representatives of the MPCB, Raigad Collectorate, Directorate of Geology and Mining, and the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. .The committee has been directed to inspect the site, ascertain whether illegal mining and crushing operations were carried out, quantify the excavation, assess damage to the cancer treatment facility and evaluate the impact of ongoing crushing activities on the hospital.The tribunal has also asked the committee to recommend remedial measures and submit its report within a month. The matter is scheduled for further hearing on July 21.