In a stern move to tackle Mumbai’s deteriorating air quality, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has identified 437 construction sites violating critical air pollution guidelines. Following recent inspections conducted by deputy engineers across the city’s 24 administrative wards, these sites have been issued a stringent seven-day deadline to comply with the guidelines. Non-compliance within this time frame will result in immediate stop-work orders, a move aimed at curbing the increasing pollution levels generated by these sites.
This crackdown comes after a temporary lull in inspections, as BMC officials and civic employees were deployed for the state assembly elections in November. With the elections now behind, the focus has shifted back to improving the city’s air quality, which has worsened due to the transition in wind patterns post-monsoon. A significant contributor to this pollution is dust from construction sites, along with road dust and emissions from eateries that use unclean fuels. The BMC’s air pollution mitigation plan, which was introduced in October 2023, includes 29 mandatory guidelines that construction sites must follow to reduce dust pollution. These regulations cover crucial measures like covering construction materials with tarpaulins or iron sheets, implementing water spraying systems to control dust, and ensuring that vehicles carrying construction debris have their wheels washed to prevent further dust dispersion.
Among the worst offenders are construction sites in Santacruz East, Malad, and Bhandup, with the highest number of non-compliant sites located in these areas. The BMC has stressed that any construction site failing to adopt these measures within the seven-day period will face harsh penalties, including a potential halt to all ongoing work. This move highlights the civic body’s renewed focus on enforcing environmental regulations, especially as air quality in the city tends to worsen between November and February. The BMC’s swift action aims to mitigate the harmful impacts of construction dust, contributing to broader efforts to improve Mumbai’s air quality and health standards.
