Poor air quality in Mumbai: Dust squads descend on construction sites

File Pic/Ashish Raje

After issuing the final guideline for dust mitigation on Friday last week, civic ward offices started issuing intimation notices to construction sites this week. The notices are part of a protocol meant to make builders aware of the rules. Meanwhile, Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation's (BMC) N ward office on Wednesday slammed a fine of Rs 10,000 each against two construction sites for not maintaining cleanliness.

Apart from raising barriers around construction sites, builders also have to keep construction material covered. File Pic/Atul Kamble

According to the final guidelines for dust mitigation issued by civic chief I S Chahal, each ward office is to create an enforcement squad to implement them. These enforcement squads started issuing intimation notices to construction sites in their wards on Monday. "This is typical protocol wherein we are informing construction sites about the guidelines. After that, they cannot claim they were unaware of guidelines," said a civic official. "We will start taking action as per the guidelines immediately," the official added.

Steps to take

According to the guidelines, the time given for the procurement of sprinklers shall be 15 days, and for the procurement of smog guns, it shall be 30 days. "Construction sites can start implementing other remedies immediately. These include raising the height of iron sheets around the construction site and enveloping the site with green cloth, jute sheets, and tarpaulin from all sides. They must also cover construction material," said a civic official. "Now we will focus on remedies which can be implemented immediately. We have started issuing notices since Monday. In the next two to three days, we will visit the construction sites for inspection and take action," the official added.

According to the guidelines, each enforcement squad will have two engineers, one police personnel, and one marshal. Each team will get vehicles. A senior officer will lead the team. All construction sites are also to deploy sensor-based air pollution monitors and act immediately if pollution levels exceed the limit. This monitoring shall be made available for inspection to BMC authorities as and when demanded. The guidelines also give civic teams the power to issue stop-work notices and seal errant construction sites.

Meanwhile, the N Ward comprising Ghatkopar fined two construction sites to the tune of R10,000 each. "During the visit, the civic team observed that there was no necessary cleaning and other precautionary measures undertaken," said the official.

30
Days given to instal smog guns

Rs 10,000
Fine levied on each of 2 sites by N Ward on Wed

15 days
Time given to buy sprinklers