India, Jan. 30 -- Twenty-two jeans factories in Chinchpada, Kalyan East, had to shut down on Wednesday following a demolition drive by the Kalyan-Dombivli Municipal Corporation (KDMC) in collaboration with the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB). The crackdown followed complaints from residents to the local MLA and MPCB authorities about pollution from the factories contaminating their land and water sources.

Fifteen years ago, a court had ordered the removal of jeans factories from Ulhasnagar and nearby areas due to rising complaints about air and water pollution. However, after demolition of the factories, the owners illegally rebuilt them, covering the structures with tarpaulin and gunny bags to avoid detection. Locals revealed...