BMC Ends Borivali and Byculla Construction Halt Amid AQI Improvement
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has lifted its blanket ban on construction activities in Borivali East and Byculla following an improvement in air quality. Despite easing restrictions, the civic body will continue to monitor individual construction projects to ensure compliance with air quality regulations.
Construction work in R-Central Ward (Borivali East) and E Ward, which covers Byculla, Mazgaon, and Mumbai Central, was earlier suspended after the Air Quality Index (AQI) in these areas remained above 200 for several days, breaching safe levels. “The suspension of construction, including public infrastructure projects, helped significantly improve air quality in these regions. On Monday, AQI levels in both Borivali East and Byculla showed positive trends,” a BMC official confirmed. Municipal Commissioner Bhushan Gagrani stressed the need for vigilance, stating, “We will closely monitor air quality citywide. All construction sites must adhere to dust mitigation and pollution control measures. Non-compliance will result in strict action, including stop-work orders and additional restrictions where necessary.”
Since November 2024, the BMC’s dedicated squad has inspected 877 construction sites in Mumbai, issuing stop-work notices to 286 sites for failing to comply with dust control norms. Violations may escalate to FIRs under the Maharashtra Regional and Town Planning (MRTP) Act, officials warned. Meanwhile, the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) conducted a hearing regarding pollution linked to the Mumbai Coastal Road project on Monday. The civic authorities were instructed to implement preventive measures and submit photographic evidence within two days. Last week, MPCB also issued notices to the Coastal Road project and the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) for lapses in pollution control at the Bandra-Kurla Complex metro railway project. Efforts to enforce the 28-point air pollution mitigation guidelines issued by the BMC continue across the city. With pollution control remaining a priority, these measures are expected to help safeguard Mumbai’s air quality while facilitating ongoing development projects.
