Mumbai's BMC Cracks Down on Construction Projects to Combat Air Pollution
The Mumbai civic body, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), has imposed a construction ban in Borivali East and Byculla due to poor air quality. Developers are now being instructed to enhance their environmental management plans.
MumbaiAir PollutionConstruction BanBmcCredaiReal Estate MumbaiDec 31, 2024
This ban, enforced due to consistently poor air quality index (AQI) readings, affects both public and private construction projects.
On December 30, 2024, Mumbai's Municipal Commissioner, Bhushan Gagrani, announced the enforcement of the Graded Action Response Plan-IV (GRAP-IV) in these areas, along with additional 'stop work' orders to 175 construction sites across the city that violated pollution mitigation norms.
The civic body has stated that the measures will be lifted once a noticeable improvement in air quality is observed.
While the ban is expected to have a limited impact on ongoing projects, some projects by the Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (MHADA) have been affected.
MHADA's Deputy Chief Engineer (planning), Bhushan Desai, confirmed that 13 of their projects in Borivali East are affected by the GRAP-IV measures, including seven projects in Rajendra Nagar and six in Magathane.
Experts attribute the high concentration of coarse particulate matter (PM10) in the atmosphere to almost non-stop construction activity, particularly in the western suburbs.
However, developers argue that construction is only one of the many sources of dust pollution.
Other significant contributors include vehicular pollution, increased traffic during the Christmas and New Year period, and ongoing public infrastructure projects such as metro railways, bridges, and flyovers.
In response to the air quality concerns, the Confederation of Real Estate Developers' Associations of India (CREDAI), through its Mumbai chapter (CREDAI-MCHI), has taken proactive steps.
Domnic Romell, president of CREDAI-MCHI, stated, 'While it is important to acknowledge that construction contributes a small fraction to overall dust pollution, the sector is taking robust steps to ensure minimal environmental impact.
CREDAI-MCHI members are increasingly adopting Environment Management Plans (EMP), which include continuous air quality monitoring, waste management, and noise reduction protocols.'
The CREDAI-MCHI has issued an advisory to its members to implement environment management plans for all active projects and is planning to disseminate guidelines issued by the BMC for pollution monitoring and mitigation measures.
MHADA officials have also issued stop-work notices to developers who failed to take air pollution control measures and are working with developers and architects to ensure air pollution mitigation 'checklists' as mandated by the BMC.
This collaborative effort between the civic body and developers aims to balance the need for construction with the imperative of maintaining air quality, a crucial step in safeguarding the health and well-being of Mumbai's residents.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did the BMC impose a construction ban in Borivali East and Byculla?
The BMC imposed a construction ban in these areas due to consistently poor air quality index (AQI) readings, which were reported to be at 200 or more.
How many construction sites received 'stop work' orders in Mumbai?
A total of 175 construction sites across Mumbai received 'stop work' orders due to violation of pollution mitigation norms.
Which organization is taking proactive steps to combat air pollution in Mumbai?
The Confederation of Real Estate Developers' Associations of India (CREDAI), through its Mumbai chapter (CREDAI-MCHI), is taking proactive steps by issuing advisories and implementing environment management plans.
How many MHADA projects are affected by the construction ban in Borivali East?
Thirteen MHADA projects in Borivali East are affected by the construction ban, including seven projects in Rajendra Nagar and six in Magathane.
What measures are included in the Environment Management Plans (EMP) adopted by developers?
The EMPs include continuous air quality monitoring, waste management, and noise reduction protocols to minimize environmental impact.
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