Mumbai's BMC introduces air quality improvement plan for construction sites

The BMC's development plan department in Mumbai has introduced an air pollution mitigation plan to address the city's consistently poor Air Quality Index (AQI), largely due to ongoing construction activities. A circular issued by Chief Engineer Sunil Rathod outlines measures for periodic checks on construction sites and remedial actions, including issuing stop-work notices to non-compliant developers.
As the monsoon season comes to an end, concerns about air pollution resurface, prompting the BMC's circular. It mandates that when a structure is to be demolished, dust- or wind-breaking tin/metal sheets over 20 feet in height must be erected around the project site's perimeter. Additionally, developers must cover the entire area's floor and scaffolding with materials like tarpaulin, green cloth, or a jute sheet, with regular cleaning being mandatory.
Developers are also instructed to avoid on-site crushing and hammering of debris, instead keeping them consistently moist by sprinkling them with water. This water-fogging procedure is to be conducted during excavation, loading and unloading of materials, and construction activities. Any construction and demolition material, loose soil, sand, or debris must be stored in a designated area, properly barricaded, and fully covered with tarpaulin.
The circular enforces a strict rule that waste generated on-site should be transported to the approved waste management site designated by the BMC. It prohibits the dumping of construction material and debris on roads and footpaths. Developers are required to have a dust extraction system, and if necessary, they must provide appropriate Air Pollution Control Technology.
For the construction of superstructures, the circular mandates the use of chutes, skips, and transfer points for dropping or transferring materials. Activities like grinding, cutting, drilling, sawing, trimming, and mixing of materials for plaster must occur within enclosed areas. While the circular suggests avoiding on-site mixing and manual bathing of concrete, which is a common practice in Mumbai, it acknowledges that there may be unavoidable circumstances where these activities should take place in enclosed spaces.
In conclusion, the BMC's development plan department in Mumbai has introduced a comprehensive air pollution mitigation plan to address the city's persistent air quality issues, primarily caused by ongoing construction activities. The circular outlines various measures to minimize dust and debris dispersion, enforce waste management protocols, and encourage the use of enclosed spaces for certain construction activities. These measures aim to improve air quality and reduce pollution in Mumbai.

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Mumbai's BMC introduces air quality improvement plan for construction sites

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