Navi Mumbai, 11 May 2025 — In a strong display of environmental enforcement, the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) has imposed a fine of ₹92,000 on a construction firm in Sector 11, Koparkhairane, following repeated breaches of pollution control norms.
The penalty, based on public complaints and subsequent site inspections, marks a growing shift toward civic accountability in managing construction-linked air pollution in one of Maharashtra’s fastest-growing urban regions.
The penalty comes after the developer failed to comply with pollution mitigation protocols mandated under court-monitored standard operating procedures. Notices issued on May 7 and 9 cited six separate violations, including poor dust management, unclean vehicle movement, and improper waste handling — all contributing to hazardous air quality levels.
Despite repeated advisories and a citywide emphasis on eco-compliance, many construction firms continue to sidestep basic preventive measures such as washing vehicle tyres, covering material stockpiles, and using dust screens. These lapses are increasingly becoming a source of friction between citizens and the real estate sector.This action follows the NMMC’s earlier move to fine a builder ₹1.1 lakh in Vashi, pointing to a broader campaign targeting environmental negligence in the city’s construction boom. According to civic data, the corporation collected ₹1.72 crore in pollution-related fines from builders in 2024 alone — a figure that signals both increasing scrutiny and persistent non-compliance.
The recent fine was catalysed by civic complaints regarding dusty roads caused by construction trucks entering and exiting sites without cleaning their wheels, leaving behind mud trails that dry into fine particulate matter. Such dust contributes significantly to PM10 and PM2.5 levels, degrading air quality and exacerbating health risks, especially respiratory ailments.What adds urgency to the issue is Navi Mumbai’s worsening air quality profile. During October 2024, the city’s Air Quality Index touched the alarming 400 mark — a level eight times higher than the World Health Organization’s prescribed safe limit. With the summer season ushering in drier air and intensified construction activity before the monsoon, environmental experts warn that pollution levels could spike further unless immediate, corrective actions are taken.
In response, the civic authority has demanded that the builder furnish documentary proof of compliance within seven days. Failure to do so could trigger further penalties, including work stoppages and legal action. Meanwhile, citizen forums have urged continued vigilance, encouraging residents to report violations and demand cleaner, safer neighbourhoods.The NMMC’s intensified focus on construction-linked pollution is a reflection of the growing public awareness about urban sustainability and air quality management. With Navi Mumbai aspiring to be a model green city, such actions are likely to become more frequent and more severe — especially as the region expands under its Smart City and climate resilience goals.
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