Builders in Mumbai navigate compliance challenges amidst pollution crackdown

Mumbai's BMC (Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation) is cracking down on builders who fail to adhere to anti-air pollution guidelines, issuing stop-work notices to several construction sites, including Prestige City in Mulund and another in Santacruz. The T ward office, responsible for air pollution mitigation enforcement, discovered 13 violations at Prestige City, leading to the notice. Builders have been directed to procure and install sprinklers and anti-smog guns within 15 to 30 days from the guideline's issuance on October 25.
The violated guidelines encompass various aspects, such as the requirement for 25ft high metal sheets surrounding construction sites, enclosing sites with wet cloth or tarpaulin covers, ensuring that vehicles transporting construction materials are fully covered to prevent airborne debris, deploying sensor-based air pollution monitors, and providing data to the BMC when asked for. Additionally, the guidelines mandate that tasks like grinding, cutting, drilling, sawing, and trimming be conducted within enclosed areas with continuous water sprinkling and fogging during work, proper disposal of construction and demolition waste, and mandatory protective equipment for construction personnel and managers.
The stop-work notices also mention violations related to barricading, which should be at least 20ft high at worksites like bridges, flyovers, and Metro construction. The notices stresses the need to cover all above-ground Metro work with similar barricades and to prohibit open burning at dumping sites, especially for garbage. The guidelines further call for roads to be equipped with paved footpaths.
Critics argue that imposing 25ft barricades could pose safety risks, as they may fall due to normal wind flow. They also note that supplies of anti-smog guns and sprinklers have become scarce in the market since the guidelines were issued. This makes it more difficult for the developers to meet the BMC guidelines.
Insiders have highlighted the impracticality of expecting laborers to work within completely enclosed buildings covered on all sides. They have also raised concerns about the upcoming Diwali festival during it is common for rockets and Chinese lamps to land in these construction sites which can lead to the enclosing sheets catching fire, posing a significant risk to workers.
Builders have been given 15-30 days to comply with the guidelines or face work stoppages. The implications of these measures extend to government and corporate infrastructure projects, raising concerns about potential delays.
Despite the good intentions behind the anti-pollution guidelines, the practicality of their implementation and potential consequences for construction workers and project timelines have sparked a debate on striking a balance between environmental protection and safety.

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Builders in Mumbai navigate compliance challenges amidst pollution crackdown

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