Dow Chemical (India) has stopped work at its Dehu research and development centre site sighting safety and security reasons. "We cannot start operations unless the safety of our employees is assured," said Dow Chemical (India) CEO Ramesh Ramchandran.

The Maharashtra government has ordered an enquiry into the proposed R&D centre of Dow Chemical coming up in Dehu, a pilgrimage near Pune following a stiff opposition to the project from the followers of regilious Warkari sect. Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh has put the project on hold till the enquiry committee submits its report.

"We want to assert that the centre would not conduct any production activity. It's just an R&D centre and would not lead to any kind of pollution," Ramchandran added.

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