The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has recently flagged 437 construction sites across Mumbai for violating key air quality standards, prompting the civic body to issue a seven-day compliance notice. The inspection, conducted by deputy engineers across all 24 administrative wards of the city, uncovered multiple violations of dust control and pollution reduction guidelines that were meant to mitigate the city’s growing air quality concerns.
Among the most common violations, construction sites were found to be negligent in basic dust control measures. Many sites failed to wash the wheels of vehicles carrying construction debris, a critical step to reduce dust from being spread across the city. Additionally, water sprinklers, which are essential for controlling dust emissions, were missing at several sites. Some sites also neglected to cover construction materials with tarpaulins or iron sheets, further contributing to airborne dust particles. The BMC’s inspection identified a total of 437 sites violating 29 crucial rules aimed at curbing air pollution in the city. In response, the BMC has ordered these sites to comply within the next seven days. Should the violations persist, a final notice of three days will be issued, followed by a suspension of work at non-compliant sites until all necessary pollution control measures are in place.
Santacruz East emerged as the area with the highest number of violations, with 58 sites found in breach of regulations. Malad followed closely with 49 violations, and Bhandup had 38. These regions, known for their rapid urban development, are now under strict scrutiny to ensure compliance with the newly introduced dust mitigation plan. The BMC’s dust mitigation plan, which was rolled out in October 2023, includes 29 specific rules for construction sites to reduce the city’s pollution levels. These rules were designed to address the seasonal spike in air pollution that typically worsens from November to February due to factors like construction debris, road dust, and the burning of fuel. The problem was exacerbated this year by shifting wind patterns following the monsoon season.
The inspections, which had been delayed due to election duties of over 60,000 civic officials in November, have now resumed with renewed focus. The goal is clear: to bring the city’s pollution levels down and ensure that construction activity does not compromise the health and well-being of Mumbai’s residents. With the BMC’s intensified efforts to monitor compliance, it is hoped that construction sites across Mumbai will begin adhering to air quality standards, reducing dust pollution and improving the overall air quality in the city.
