The issue:

Reckless stone quarrying has been going on behind a major Cancer treatment centre - Advanced Centre for Treatment, Research & Education in Cancer (ACTREC), popularly known as Tata Cancer Hospital, at Kharghar in Navi Mumbai.

We are seriously concerned about the safety of patients suffering from life-threatening diseases, especially those who are battling cancer. 

The quarry has been functioning illegally, offiial information obtained by environment watchdog NatConnect Foundation via the Right To Information (RTI) Act shows.

How serious!

·      This dust permeates the air, posing severe respiratory risks to patients, whose immune systems are already compromised due to their illness and treatments.
Stone dust is known to exacerbate respiratory conditions and can lead to serious lung diseases. 

·      For cancer patients, breathing in such polluted air can worsen their condition and undermine the effects of their costly treatments. 

·      Equipment designed to function in contaminant-free environments is under constant risk due to airborne particulate infiltration.

In fact, the ACTREC director Dr Pankaj Chaturvedi has already raised the issue with the Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and pointed out that exposure to dust particles can increase the risk of lung infections among the cancer patients whose immunity levels are very low.

Dust can damage machinery, leading to increased maintenance costs and potentially causing life-saving treatments to be delayed or interrupted.
What we can and should do!

Join me in urging the Prime Minister for immediate action to ban quarrying operations in proximity to this cancer treatment centre and to implement protective measures. 

Cancer patients deserve an environment that supports their recovery, not one that endangers their health further. 

Protecting the health and lives of our cancer patients, preserving biodiversity, and maintaining the integrity of eco-sensitive zones must be a collective priority, Dr Chaturvedi, an accomplished life-threatening cancer specialist, said.

Adding to our distress, Dr Chaturvedi informed the CM, buildings within the hospital campus-constructed nearly 25 years ago are now showing structural damage, such as cracked beams and slabs resulting in weakening of the constructed buildings in the ACTREC Campus.

“This has led to rainwater seepage, fostering fungal growth in cleanroom facilities and creating further hazards for patients,” he pointed out.

He also expressed “deep concern” over the escalating noise and dust pollution caused by unregulated stone quarrying adjacent to the ACTREC.

Please sign this petition to ensure a safe, dust-free environment for those who need it the most.

Thanks and regards

B N Kumar-

Director, NatConnect Foundation