BMC Halts Work on 462 Construction Sites Due to Air Pollution
In a proactive move to combat rising air pollution levels in Mumbai, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has issued a stern warning to construction sites across the city. On 6th January, a total of 856 show-cause notices were sent to various building and infrastructure projects for non-compliance with air pollution regulations. This is part of BMC’s ongoing efforts to address the city’s alarming air quality levels, particularly in areas covered by persistent smog.
BMC officials emphasized that the notices were part of a wider effort to enforce stricter environmental norms, and contractors were given 24 hours to rectify their actions or face severe consequences. Following this deadline, 462 stop-work orders were issued to those failing to comply, effectively halting progress on numerous construction projects across the city. Among those affected were infrastructure developments, including road projects, which had reportedly caused significant pollution through dust, noise, and vibration. The BMC also noted that their own infrastructure projects, such as concrete and cement work, were contributing to the pollution, highlighting the need for the civic authority itself to adhere to the same regulations imposed on private contractors.
A BMC official from the K East ward confirmed that notices were being sent not only to private developers but also to the BMC’s own departments involved in road construction. A clear directive was issued to road engineers to ensure that the contractors they oversee adhere to air pollution control measures. “The regulations that are expected of other agencies must equally apply to us,” said a senior BMC official. The BMC’s show-cause notice, dated 6 January, included a stern warning to contractors in Andheri East, such as NCC Ltd, AIC Infra (P) Ltd, and R G Shah Infratech (P) Ltd, for failing to implement air pollution mitigation measures. They were given 48 hours to submit a compliance report, detailing how they would address the violations.
Moreover, the BMC had temporarily suspended work on construction sites in high-pollution zones such as Borivali East, Byculla, and Mazagaon last week, due to AQI levels surpassing 200. However, work was resumed on these sites on 6 January as the air quality improved. The overall Air Quality Index (AQI) for Mumbai, which had reached 162 on 5 January, dropped significantly to 132 on 6 January, moving it from the “moderate” to “satisfactory” range, according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). As Mumbai continues to grapple with rising pollution levels, the BMC’s crackdown on construction sites serves as a reminder to both the public and private sectors about the urgent need to adhere to environmental standards, ensuring cleaner air for the city’s residents.
