The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has announced that construction activities and industrial operations across Mumbai may be temporarily shut down if the Air Quality Index (AQI) in any locality remains consistently above 200. This step aligns with the provisions of Graded Response Action Plan-4 (GRAP-4), which mandates strict intervention when pollution levels cross the “poor” category for prolonged periods.
According to officials, the civic body has intensified monitoring across all 24 wards to ensure compliance with air-pollution guidelines, especially at active construction sites. To enforce the rules, BMC has deployed ward-level “flying squads” comprising engineers, a police officer, and a vehicle fitted with a real-time tracking system. These teams check whether sites have implemented dust-control systems, barricades, and green-cloth coverings while ensuring no unauthorised burning or debris dumping takes place.
The BMC’s 28-point construction guideline, introduced earlier, requires all builders and contractors to adopt measures such as water sprinkling, scientific waste management, installation of sensor-based air-quality monitors, and proper handling of ready-mix concrete operations. Any site found violating these norms may face penalties and, in cases of repeated non-compliance, closure orders.
Apart from construction monitoring, the civic body is also working on reducing emissions from other pollution-prone sectors. Initiatives include shifting bakeries and crematoriums to cleaner fuels, expanding the fleet of electric buses, and increasing the use of water-misting machines at dust-prone locations. Officials said these efforts aim to limit particulate matter and improve ambient air quality during high-pollution periods.
Senior BMC officials have directed deputy and assistant municipal commissioners to closely supervise compliance and take immediate corrective action where required. The administration stated that shutting down construction sites and industries will be considered only if pollution levels fail to stabilise despite mitigation measures.
With Mumbai witnessing fluctuating air quality during certain months, the latest directive signals a stronger enforcement approach by the civic body. The move underscores the city’s broader strategy of pairing infrastructure growth with strict environmental safeguards to safeguard public health.
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