Andheri dust pollution has led the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to order an immediate halt to demolition work at a site in Lokhandwala, Andheri (West), after residents complained that dust was spreading through the surrounding neighbourhood and market area. The civic body also imposed a fine of Rs 35,000 on the developer for violating air pollution mitigation measures.
The BMC’s K/West ward office issued the stop-work notice to M/s D. G. S. Land Developer (India) Pvt Ltd on October 19, a day after the demolition activity was flagged by the Lokhandwala Oshiwara Citizens Association (LOCA). The residents’ group shared a video showing large quantities of dust dispersing from the site during demolition work on Saturday morning.
Residents told the civic authorities that the dust was affecting people living nearby and pedestrians using the locality. In a complaint to the BMC and Maharashtra Pollution Control Board, LOCA also raised concerns about possible health risks for senior citizens, children and people with respiratory ailments.
“This building is located in the main Lokhandwala market which sees huge crowds and developers need to be cautious to take dust suppression measures,” Dhaval Shah of LOCA said, according to the report.
The site is located at the junction of Main Road and First Cross Road in Apna Ghar Complex, Oshiwara, Andheri (West). The notice, issued under Section 354A of the Mumbai Municipal Corporation Act, 1888, listed several violations of the BMC’s air pollution mitigation guidelines.
These included inadequate covering of construction materials and demolition debris, the storage of loose soil and debris on footpaths and roads, and the absence of an effective dust-extraction system using appropriate air pollution control technology. The civic body also cited uncovered grinding, cutting, drilling and other construction activities, along with the absence of a vehicle tyre-washing facility.
The BMC directed the developer to stop work immediately and warned that further legal action would be taken if the directions were not followed. It also asked Oshiwara police to monitor the site and remove personnel engaged in the work to ensure compliance with the notice.
Chakrapani Alle, assistant municipal commissioner of the K/West ward, confirmed that the notice had been issued and the penalty imposed. The notice was also sent to the senior police inspector at Oshiwara police station.
The civic action places responsibility for controlling construction and demolition dust on the developer and architect at the site. However, the reported violations also involve public-facing spaces, including footpaths and roads, making the enforcement action relevant to pedestrians and businesses in one of Andheri’s crowded commercial areas.
The BMC said the action was necessary because the developer and architect had failed to follow prescribed air pollution mitigation measures. The developer was contacted for a response but had not replied at the time of publication.
