Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) Commissioner Bhushan Gagrani has urged real estate developers to strictly comply with air pollution control norms at construction sites, warning that violations could invite legal action and even halt ongoing projects.
Speaking at an event organised by CREDAI-MCHI, the apex body of real estate developers in Mumbai, Gagrani said builders must take responsibility for improving the city’s deteriorating air quality by adhering to dust mitigation measures outlined in the Mumbai Air Pollution Mitigation Plan (MAPMP).
“There are a lot of court directions related to pollution. I request you to please follow the guidelines issued for construction sites. Don’t give an opportunity to PILs, RTIs, or even the courts to issue directions that could bring a bad name to the entire industry and stop projects,” Gagrani said. “If you install the sensors and make the data available in the system, it will be a win-win situation,” he added.
According to the commissioner, about 500 construction projects across Mumbai have already installed air quality monitoring sensors, which track particulate matter and measure the Air Quality Index (AQI) in real time.
These sensors provide hyperlocal air quality data, helping the BMC monitor whether developers are complying with dust suppression rules such as sprinkling water, covering debris, and limiting dust emissions.
In addition, LED display boards at construction sites will show the real-time AQI readings recorded by the sensors. The data from all sites will be integrated into BMC’s central monitoring system.
If a site repeatedly records poor air quality readings, the civic body will initiate action against the developer, officials said.
The BMC’s move comes as Mumbai continues to record worsening AQI levels, particularly during the winter months, with construction dust identified as one of the city’s major pollution sources.
Also Read: BMC issues First Air Pollution Notice to a Developer
