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Mumbai: The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has taken decisive action by issuing stop-work notices to 296 construction sites in Mumbai for non-compliance with air pollution mitigation guidelines, a week after the BMC’s deadline for stakeholders in the construction industry to adhere to cleanliness guidelines.
The highest number of notices, totaling 135, has been issued by the K East ward, covering areas like Jogeshwari East, Andheri East, and Vile Parle East, targeting sites that have failed to comply with the guidelines, according to an official from the BMC’s environment department.
Manish Walanju, Assistant Commissioner of K East ward, emphasized the need for compliance, stating, “We have one of the highest numbers of construction sites. There are many ongoing redevelopment projects in Andheri and Vile Parle, and SRA projects in Jogeshwari. We will continue to take action if the construction sites do not comply with the air pollution mitigation guidelines. If the sites do not stop work despite the notice, we will seal them.”
Since November 8, the civic body has been issuing notices to defaulters. Upon receipt of a notice, construction must cease immediately, and builders or site managers must demonstrate compliance with the norms before work can resume, as explained by an official from the BMC.
The top three defaulters are all from the western suburbs, with the H East ward issuing 97 notices, followed by H West ward with 22 notices. These wards cover areas like Bandra East, Khar East, Santacruz East (H East), Bandra West, Khar West, Santacruz West (H West).
BMC Commissioner Iqbal Chahal had issued a strict warning about punitive measures when announcing the guidelines on October 25, with the deadline set for November 8. Alongside the stop-work notices, BMC has issued 206 show cause notices and 3050 intimation notices across the 24 wards. The guidelines include measures such as installing green cloth on sites, using sprinklers and anti-smog guns, forming ward-level squads, and empowering ward officers to issue stop-work notices and seal sites if regulations are not followed.
