Mumbai: Amid rising air pollution in the city, the BMC has issued a directive to halt all construction activities, both private and public, in Byculla and Borivali (East) within the next 24 hours.
This action follows the consistent recording of Air Quality Index (AQI) levels above 200, which indicates “poor” air quality.
The civic body has also warned that non-compliance will result in legal action under the Maharashtra Regional Town Planning (MRTP) Act 52, potentially leading to a non-bailable police case.
Additionally, the AQI in Worli and Colaba-Navy Nagar will be monitored over the next 2-3 days, with similar measures to be enforced if air quality remains poor.
Currently, there are 2,200 private construction sites active across Mumbai, with each ward having a minimum of 50 to 60 sites. The BMC has attributed a 50% rise in pollution to climate change, with the remaining increase caused by vehicular emissions and dust from construction sites.
To address this, the civic body has implemented stricter regulations and comprehensive action plans to mitigate pollution from construction activities and road dust.
However, areas such as Colaba-Navy Nagar, Byculla, Worli, and Borivali have consistently experienced poor air quality.
As a result, the civic body has directed all construction sites in Byculla and Borivali East, including infrastructure projects, to halt work within 24 hours and ensure their operations are brought to a safe position. They must then cease work until they receive approval from the civic body.
Municipal Commissioner Bhushan Gagrani stated, “Individual developers from these areas must prove to the BMC that they are following 28 guidelines to mitigate air pollution at their sites.
After evaluation, a decision will be made regarding their projects. The rest must continue to stop their work until air quality improves.”
He also mentioned that the concerned ward office will closely monitor Navy Nagar and Worli to ensure dust mitigation measures are being implemented.
“If the areas still record poor air quality, all construction sites will have to halt work until the situation improves. We will not permit any new trenching work on the roads. However, road concretisation work will continue, as it needs to be completed before the monsoon,” said Gagrani.
Considering the air quality over the past three years, he added that while the current air quality is better, it is still not satisfactory.
Even after implementing several measures, if areas continue to record an AQI above 200, then construction and industrial activities in these areas will be shut down under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP-4), said BMC.
Avinash Dhakne, member secretary of Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) said, “In long term measures, Ready-mix Concrete (RMC) plants will be instructed to cover their sites. New plants will only be allowed to open outside Mumbai. This guideline will also be followed in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region(MMR).”
Box :
* The special squad of BMC has inspected 877 construction sites across Mumbai since November 2024. Of which, 286 sites have been issued stop work notices.
* The Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) undertaking will be procuring 2,100 single-decker and 200 double-decker electric buses. So far, 299 single-decker and 50 double-decker electric buses have been added to the fleet.
* The Mumbai Air App has recorded 412 complaints, out of which 350 have been resolved. Additionally, 26 complaints are from the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR), and 36 complaints are still being worked on.
* Between November 4 and December 10, a total of 352 cases were registered for burning waste in Mumbai.
