BMC to act against builders and contractors who fail to control dust at Mumbai construction sites

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) will take strict action against developers and construction contractors who do not keep dust pollution in check at construction sites and on the roads adjoining them. Municipal Commissioner Ashwini Bhide said this on Tuesday.

Bhide gave the directions at a meeting to review measures to improve Mumbai's air quality. The meeting also discussed the Bombay High Court's directions on noise pollution from firecrackers and its effect on health.

The commissioner said developers and contractors are responsible for controlling dust at construction sites and on nearby roads. They must keep the construction area clean, make proper arrangements to stop dust from spreading in the air, and follow the prescribed rules for construction sites.

Bhide said the BMC's 28-point guidelines for preventing air pollution must not remain on paper and have to be implemented on the ground. The departments concerned have been asked to coordinate with one another and to inspect pollution control measures regularly. Officials were also told to take immediate action wherever violations are found.

The commissioner also asked officials to ensure that air quality monitoring stations, sensors and related equipment in Mumbai remain operational and show correct readings. According to the BMC, strict action should be taken against those responsible if these systems are found shut or showing wrong data.

She also directed the departments to use modern equipment for cleaning roads and to run special cleaning drives to control dust. The departments were told to work together to bring about a real improvement in the city's air.

The meeting also reviewed the implementation of the High Court's directions on firecrackers. According to the BMC, the High Court has banned bursting firecrackers on public roads, lanes and footpaths. Bursting them is also prohibited in silence zones around schools, hospitals, government offices and courts. Bhide asked officials to enforce these directions strictly at the ward level.

She also spoke of running awareness campaigns on noise pollution from firecrackers and the health risks. Officials were asked to work with local public representatives to spread awareness and to organise programmes for children in government and private schools. The commissioner appealed to citizens to use green firecrackers instead of those that cause more pollution.

Additional Municipal Commissioner (Eastern Suburbs) Dr Avinash Dhakne, Deputy Commissioner (Municipal Commissioner's Office) Prashant Gaikwad, Deputy Commissioner (Environment and Climate Change) Avinash Kate, zonal joint commissioners, deputy commissioners, assistant commissioners and other officials were present at the meeting.