Mumbai: 308 construction sites penalised

Debris dumped on 16th Road, Khar (West) in 2023. Pic/Anurag Ahire

Cases of action against construction sites for not following pollution-control norms are continuing unabated in the city, with the civic body having penalised 308 sites in 21 days. On the other hand, cases of debris dumped on public spots reduced significantly in the last three weeks and no penalties have been imposed on dumpers for not covering the garbage and for burning of garbage.

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) began its action against polluters in November 2023 amid worsening air pollution levels. After issuing guidelines to reduce air pollution, the BMC initiated action on November 4, 2023. As per the Cleanliness and Sanitation Bylaws, 2006, owners or occupiers may be fined R1,000 to R10,000 for not keeping the premises clean.

In the first 40 days, till December 14, 2023, the BMC slapped penalties on 634 defaulters under ‘Swachh Angan' (clean premises) across the city. This means that on average, there were 16 cases per day. In the last 21 days, from December 15, 2023, to January 4, the BMC has imposed penalties on 308 construction sites. The total penalty amount reached Rs 32.56 lakh. This means an average of 14 cases daily.

"Action against defaulters will continue as they are the major contributors to air pollution," said a BMC official. He added that the defaulters are mostly builders whose Ready Mix Concrete (RMC) and vehicles carrying debris cause dust and pollution in their vicinity.

Similarly, 267 cases against unauthorised dumping of debris were registered by ward officials till December 14, 2023 - which is an average of six to seven cases daily. Cases reduced to almost one or two across the city in the last three weeks till January 4, with a total of 36 cases registered. However, citizens say that they still come across debris on roads.

"Occasionally, dumping still happens and we keep complaining to the BMC. This has led to better roads in Santracuz now. But on some other roads in Khar and Bandra, the garbage dumping has worsened which also contributes to air pollution," said Debasish Chakraverty, a member of Advanced Locality Management (ALM) of Santacruz West.

The corporation also acted against contractors for not covering dumpers carrying construction and demolition material with tarpaulin and burning garbage. The number of these cases hasn't increased in the last three weeks. In all, the BMC slammed 1,435 notices against defaulters for not adhering to pollution control bylaws of 2006 and imposed penalties amounting to Rs 53 lakhs. The maximum cases related to air pollution have been registered in wards C (Girgaon), H West (Bandra West to Santacruz West), L (Kurla) and K East (Vile Parle East to Jogeshwari East).