To tackle Mumbai air pollution, BMC’s Gagrani says civic body implementing stricter contracts, penalties on defaulters

BMC’s steps and the challenges it faces

Speaking to The Indian Express, Gagrani said to implement more stringent measures, BMC has started incorporating provisions for penalties, in case of violations, in its contracts for projects, including those of concretisation. Gagrani also said old contracts and small-scale redevelopment projects amongst other factors have emerged as some key challenges in its ongoing crackdown against rising air pollution in Mumbai.

“Whenever we issue contracts, there has to be a provision for imposing certain penalties for certain defaults. Some of the old contracts don’t have such provisions, and even if they are there, then it’s very minimal. Therefore, from now onwards, we have started very heavy-duty penalisation daily on projects including the concretisation works. In all contracts, we are ensuring significant penalties for all defaults. Otherwise, what happens is that, if we levy penalties, they go to courts and get a stay because there is no contractual provision.”

Gagrani added the civic body has ramped up its action against violators through stop-work notices and increased vigilance. For the record, BMC has issued show-cause notices to 856 violators for flouting dust mitigation norms in Mumbai between October and December 2024. These violators are mainly contractors who were appointed to carry out civic and infrastructure works in Mumbai by the administrative agencies.

Currently, Gagrani said, trenching works have also been suspended in at least seven BMC wards. “While trenching is not an issue, the problem is that the work is not executed within the stipulated time. If any digging or construction work is done as per the norms laid down for them such as installing green barriers, keeping the internal work site clean by watering areas etc. But these norms are often flouted,” he said.

Focus on Byculla and Borivali

Responding to questions about other challenges, Gagrani added redevelopment projects unfolding within small plots are also a key factor in areas like Byculla, which often reel under ‘poor air’. On Wednesday too, Byculla recorded a poor AQI of 212.

“Recently, we stopped work in Borivali and Byculla for more than three weeks, and AQI improved significantly,” said Gagrani. “In our analysis of Byculla, we found that it is a typical case of very small plots. The entire B, C, and E wards are witnessing redevelopment, with several redevelopment works mushrooming within small plots of 200 to 250 square metre. These are such small plots that there is barely space for barricading. We are evaluating stricter measures for these small-scale redevelopment works.”

According to Gagrani, dust and fuel — besides the meteorological factors — are amongst the chief causes of pollution in Mumbai. “Besides two power plants, Mumbai hardly has any industries and pollution in the city is largely dust and fuel-related. Fuel-related factors are primarily vehicular emissions and burning from food stalls, bakeries etc,” said Gagrani.