One year on, where do BMC guidelines to check pollution at construction sites stand

Last year, in a bid to combat emissions and dust from the infrastructural projects unfolding in the city, which is among a key contributor to bad AQI, the BMC had released a set of guidelines which comprised a volley of rules ranging from stricter rules for construction sites, complete ban of open garbage burning to deploying enforcement squads on ward level for monitoring.

Senior civic officials, however, say that the implementation of air pollution mitigation measures had taken a back seat during the monsoon months, when the air quality is typically satisfactory.

“During monsoons, owing to rains, air quality is naturally good and even construction activity slows down. Besides, the staff is directed towards undertaking monsoon-related activities. Therefore, the mitigation measures like regulations were low while issuing stop work notices was stalled,” said an official.

Nearly one year since the introduction of the guidelines–as the BMC now gears up to once again drive up its air pollution mitigation measures in light of the winter months–Express revisits the civic guidelines to check where the implementation of the civic rulebook stands today.

Issuing stop work notices at construction site

To curb air pollution emanating from construction sites, which the Mumbai Air Pollution Mitigation Plan (MAPMP) identified as one of the key contributors to the burgeoning AQI levels in the city, the civic guidelines directed that sites must be covered with green cloth or jute sheet. Among other guidelines, the rule also stated that any project sprawling over one acre and beyond the height of 70 metres must erect 35-feet high tin or metal sheets while sites spanning within one acre must install sheets with the height of 25 feet at least.

It warned that failure to adhere to the rules would lead to stringent action including stop work notices, sealing of worksites etc. Since then, the BMC has issued 901 stop work notices alongside 824 show cause notices to sites which were seen flouting the rules.

However, officials said that no notices have been issued since April/May, after which monsoon kicked off in the city.

According to BMC officials, with the winter on cards, the BMC is eyeing to once again start issuing the notices and increase vigilance. Recently, top BMC officers also convened meetings with builders associations and others like CREDAI, instructing them to adhere to the norms. Meanwhile, on Monday, civic chief Gagrani called for the formation of flying squads who will overlook construction sites on ground, adding that if the members record multiple cases of violation, then ‘stop work’ notice would be issued against the contractor immediately.

Complete ban on garbage burning in open

One of the top five sources of pollution as per the MAPMP, the guidelines issued a complete ban on open burning anywhere within BMC jurisdiction, especially at garbage dumping grounds and possible sites of trash burning.

Following this, the BMC–for the first time in 17 years since the approval of the solid waste management bylaws–started issuing a penalty of Rs 100 and registering a case against garbage burning from November 2023.

Data furnished by the BMC shows that between November 2023 and October 1, 2024, the BMC has logged 336 cases against those found burning garbage in the open in Mumbai. Meanwhile, a sum of Rs 90,100 has been collected in penalty over violation of the same, during this period.

Unloading of Construction and Demolition (C&D) waste

The guidelines also stated that all construction sites ought to ensure that the C&D waste generated within their premises must be transported to the designated unloading site and that the vehicles should also be thoroughly cleaned thereafter.

Records showed that since the rule came into force, the BMC has scooped up a whopping Rs 57.28 lakh in penalties against those found carrying out unauthorised dumping of construction and demolition waste. According to an official, nearly 1,186 cases were logged in violation of this rule with the maximum cases recorded in B ward (105 cases), followed by 52 cases in R/South ward.

Meanwhile, the BMC has also fast-tracked its first ever processing plants for C&D waste which are slated to become operational soon. Bringing a fresh lease of life to the discarded C&D waste, two units–one in Dahisar and another in Shilphata–will each process 600 metric tonnes of waste daily which will then be recycled for making tiles, paver blocks and other precast materials for projects across the city.

Covering C&D vehicles with tarpaulin

To prevent dust from the construction material or debris from becoming airborne, the BMC had directed that all the vehicles ferrying C&D products to be covered from all sides.

In light of violation of the rule, the BMC has collected Rs 10.68 lakh in penalties against those vehicles which were seen transporting C&D waste. An official said that 634 cases have been logged against the uncovered dumpers.

Records show that the maximum cases have been observed in D ward wherein 282 cases were recorded. Furthermore, 57 cases were observed in R/South ward followed by 40 cases in the B ward.