In a bid to combat the alarming rise in air pollution in the city, Mumbai’s Municipal Commissioner & Administrator Iqbal Singh Chahal convened a crucial meeting of key stakeholders. The session, held on October 20, 2023, saw pivotal decisions being made to implement a comprehensive action plan aimed at mitigating the severe air pollution crisis plaguing the city.

Key Highlights of the Meeting:

• Construction Site Regulations: All construction sites must now feature mandatory 35-feet-high iron sheet enclosures, with smaller sites requiring 25-feet-high enclosures. The entire construction area should be covered with green cloth, jute sheet, or tarpaulin to contain dust.
• Sprinkler Systems and Anti-Smog Measures: Within 15 days, all construction sites must install sprinkler systems and, within 30 days, anti-smog guns to mitigate pollution. The BMC (Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation) will deploy anti-smog guns on major city roads.
• Refinery and Power Plant Scrutiny: Pollution experts will closely monitor and assess pollution levels caused by refineries, the Tata Power Plant, and RCF (Rashtriya Chemicals & Fertilizers).

Municipal Commissioner & Administrator Iqbal Singh Chahal urged all stakeholders to prioritize monitoring and take necessary remedial actions to combat the dust-related pollution stemming from nearly 6,000 construction sites across Mumbai. Stringent measures will be applied equally to both government and private agencies, including the issuance of on-site stop work notices for violations.

Attendees at the meeting included prominent figures such as the Principal Secretary to Hon’ble CM Shri Vikas Kharge, Smt. Ashwini Bhide (Addl. Municipal Commissioner, Eastern Suburbs), Shri Pravin Darade (Principal Secretary, Environment), and representatives from various construction and real estate associations.

To enforce these measures effectively, the Municipal Commissioner & Administrator outlined the following compliance mandates:

For the Construction Industry:

• Construction sites of one acre or larger must have 35-feet-high iron sheet enclosures, while smaller sites require 25-foot-high enclosures.
• All construction sites must deploy sprinkler systems within 15 days and anti-smog machines within 30 days.
• BMC will utilize anti-smog vehicle-mounted machines on major city roads.
• Air quality monitoring devices must be installed at all construction sites.
• Government agencies, including the Metro and Roads Department, must adhere to these construction site regulations.
• Dust containment measures, including water sprinklers, must be implemented during building demolitions.
• Activities such as marble cutting and construction material processing must occur within enclosed premises.

For Transportation Vehicles:

• Vehicles transporting construction debris must be covered with tarpaulin sheets and adhere to weight restrictions.
• Tires of these vehicles must be cleaned and sprinkled with water before leaving construction sites.
• After each workday, vehicles must be cleaned.
• CCTV networks should be installed at construction sites to monitor compliance.
• Heavy penalties and registration revocation await those dumping debris on roads and footpaths.
• Special squads will monitor transportation vehicles for compliance, with the Transport Commissioner’s department enforcing strict penalties.

For Industrial Activity:

• Experts from MPCB (Maharashtra Pollution Control Board) and BMC will assess pollution levels caused by refineries, the Tata Power Plant, and RCF.
• Regular sampling and chemical analysis will ensure compliance with pollution control measures.
• Stringent actions will be taken against violators.

Special Pollution Control Squads:

• Fifty squads across Mumbai’s 24 Municipal Administrative Wards will monitor construction sites daily.
• Video recordings will be made at sites with violations, and stop work notices will be issued on-site.
• Transport Commissioner squads will monitor vehicle compliance, ensuring proper PUC (Pollution Under Control) certification and weight restrictions.\

Mumbai’s resolute actions aim to combat the pressing issue of air pollution and enhance the quality of life for its residents.

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