‘Violation of pollution mitigation norms’: BMC tells Bullet Train, Metro line 2B contractors to stop work at BKC sites

The notices came along the heels of the civic inspection squad observing that the big ticket projects unfolding in BKC had failed to adhere to the BMC’s 28-point guidelines, which outline an action plan for construction sites to mitigate polluting factors.

After observing lapses, the BMC had served a show cause notice to the bullet train project site on December 1, while a show cause notice was served to J Kumar RMC plant on December 11.

However, in its follow up inspection conducted over the week, the civic squad observed that the sites had failed to take corrective measures to mitigate pollution as per the norms, nudging the BMC to slap the companies with stop-work notices.

At present, the terminal station of the bullet train is being constructed by NHSRCL-appointed contractors Megha Engineering Infrastructure Limited (MEIL) and Hindustan Construction Company (HCC), who are executing the work in a joint venture. Adjacent to the bullet train site in Bandra, meanwhile, MMRDA-appointed contractor J Kumar Infraprojects is executing works on the Metro line 2B over an area spanning over 2.5 km.

In its notice to the bullet train site in Bandra Kurla Complex, where the BMC has named MEIL and HCC, authorities pointed that despite show cause notice, it was observed that the notice requisition was not complied with.

“In view of this, you are hereby directed to stop the ongoing work immediately till the faithful compliance of all guidelines at site,” said the civic body.

Similarly, in its stop-work notice to J Kumar RMC plant issued on December 17, the BMC called the contractor to cease all construction activity at its work site near the H/East ward office, failing which the work site will be sealed.

Prior to this, in November 2023, both the bullet train work site and the metro line 2B project sites at BKC had been served with show cause notice for similar violations of air pollution norms.

When contacted, spokespersons from National High Speed Rail Corporation Limited (NHSRCL) declined to comment on the query.

Emails sent to J Kumar Infraprojects did not elicit a response.

Speaking to The Indian Express, a senior official from the BMC ward office said that the project sites have not been sealed so far. “We have at present issued the two sites with stop-work notices. In the coming days, we will be conducting another site inspection and take a call on whether we have to seal the sites.”

As per data furnished by the BMC, at least 3,497 stop-work notices have been issued across Mumbai’s project sites between January and November, this year. Of these, nearly 153 notices have been issued to the municipal works, 759 have been served to projects being executed by other governmental development authorities while 2,585 have been served to private developers. Meanwhile, 8,693 show cause notices have been issued by the BMC’s flying squads during the same period.