Mumbai: BMC Finds 437 Construction Sites Violating Air Pollution Guidelines, 7-Day Deadline Issued For Compliance

Mumbai: In a recent inspection conducted by deputy engineers across the 24 administrative wards, 437 construction sites were found to be in violation of 29 key guidelines aimed at preventing air pollution in Mumbai.

These sites have been given a 7-day deadline to implement the necessary measures. The civic authorities has warned that failure to comply within the stipulated time frame will result in a stop-work notice being issued.

The teams responsible for inspecting construction sites and enforcing dust mitigation measures were unable to carry out their duties earlier, as 60,000 civic employees and officials had been deployed for the state assembly elections in November. With the election period now over, the authorities are resuming inspections to ensure that construction sites follow the necessary guidelines to curb air pollution.

During the inspection, multiple violations were found at 437 sites, including the absence of iron or tarpaulin coverings, lack of sprinkler systems for water spraying at construction sites, and failure to wash the wheels of vehicles transporting construction debris.

The BMC’s environmental department has issued clear directives mandating that these regulations be implemented within seven days. "A final notice of an additional three days will be issued. After that, work at the construction site will be halted until the necessary measures are taken," said a senior civic official.

The highest number of notices (58) was issued in Santacruz East, followed by Malad (49) and Bhandup (38). The city's air quality has worsened following a shift in wind patterns after the monsoon season.

Over the past two years, it has become evident that air quality consistently declines between November and February. Dust from construction sites, road dust, and the use of unclean fuels in restaurants have been identified as key contributors to the rising pollution levels.

To address this issue, the BMC implemented a mitigation plan in October 2023, which includes 29 mandatory guidelines for construction sites aimed at reducing dust pollution and improving air quality in the city.