BMC issues ultimatum to real estate companies to install AQI sensors within a month

In June, authorities mandated that private builders install these sensors, which would provide real-time data on the dust situation, at their work sites. In its Mumbai Air Pollution Mitigation Plan (MAPMP), the BMC identified construction dust as one of the major contributing factors to Mumbai’s deteriorating AQI.

These sensors are small devices that analyse the particulate matter in the air and provide a reading of the overall Air Quality Index (AQI) of a location. They are primarily used for hyperlocal monitoring of air, unlike the Continuous Ambient Air Quality Monitoring System (CAAQMS), which determines AQI of a larger area.

The officials added that they will monitor the data recorded by these AQI sensors. The readings will indicate whether dust mitigation rules, such as sprinkling water and covering debris, are followed at the site.

“The project sites will have LED boards that will display the AQI readings recorded by these sensors. This data will be integrated into our system,” the official said.

The authorities stated that if any spot consistently records poor AQI readings, action will be taken against developers.

BMC officials also stated that along with the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) a team of ground staffers will be deployed in each of the 24 municipal wards to track if any on ground violation is taken place in terms of dust displacement.

The 30-day ultimatum ends in November, and officials said firms that fail to install monitoring machines during this period will be penalised.

After the monsoon withdrawal took place in Mumbai, the city’s overall AQI plummeted severely to the “moderate” category from “good/satisfactory”. A day after Diwali, Mumbai’s overall AQI was in the “poor” category, while several other locations recorded “very poor “air quality.