In a disturbing revelation, Tata Memorial Centre in Kharghar, Navi Mumbai has sounded the alarm over illegal stone quarrying dangerously close to its cancer treatment facility—alleging it has not only caused structural damage to the hospital but is also endangering the lives of vulnerable patients.
In a strongly worded letter dated July 10, Dr. Pankaj Chaturvedi, Director of the Advanced Centre for Treatment, Research & Education in Cancer (ACTREC), urged Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to immediately intervene and halt the destructive activities.
The letter paints a grim picture: blasting with explosives, intense drilling, and widespread dust pollution on the northwest hill adjacent to the hospital. The activities have left deep pits, stripped green cover, and released toxic dust clouds—directly affecting cancer patients, many of whom are immunocompromised and highly vulnerable to airborne pollutants.
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"The dust has infiltrated even sterile zones inside the hospital, compromising treatment safety and exposing patients to potentially deadly infections," said Dr. Chaturvedi. He added that rainwater seepage has worsened the situation, damaging beams and slabs and leading to fungal growth inside the facility.
Locals and senior citizens have flagged multiple violations, pointing to the National Green Tribunal (NGT) guidelines, which require strict environmental clearances and restrict blasting near residential or sensitive zones. Despite this, the quarrying continues, transforming the area into what Dr. Chaturvedi described as a “pollution hotspot.”
The hospital has made a desperate plea to stop these illegal operations and protect the lives of patients and the fragile eco-sensitive region. “This is not just about infrastructure; it’s about human lives, biodiversity, and environmental accountability,” the letter emphasized.
The ball is now in the state government's court as patients, doctors, and environmentalists await urgent action.
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