Digging Halted! BMC Cracks Down to Tackle Mumbai's Air Pollution Crisis

Mumbai:  In a decisive move to curb rising air pollution levels, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has stopped issuing fresh permissions for road excavation in the city. However, work related to the repair of water supply pipelines has been exempted, according to a statement from BMC commissioner and administrator Bhushan Gagrani.

The civic body identified road-digging projects as significant contributors to worsening air quality. Over the past few days, stringent measures have been implemented, including stop-work notices to 33 construction projects in Byculla and 45 in Borivali (East), where air quality had plunged to an alarming AQI of 200.

Adding to these actions, BMC has set out 28-point guidelines aimed at reducing pollution caused by construction. Developers, contractors, and consultants are now required to prepare an Environmental Management Plan (EMP) to ensure compliance.

From November 2024 to date, the civic body's Environment and Climate Change Department has inspected 877 construction projects for guideline adherence and EMP implementation.

With its robust stance, the BMC aims to combat pollution head-on while holding developers accountable for eco-friendly practices.