Stricter Penalties Imposed to Tackle Mumbai’s Air Pollution Crisis

Mumbai,Maharashtra: Mumbai’s air quality continues to worsen, with areas like Deonar reporting a poor Air Quality Index (AQI) over 200. In response, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), led by Bhushan Gagrani, is implementing stringent measures to reduce pollution levels. The city’s worsening AQI, exacerbated by dust and fuel-related pollution, has led BMC to enforce tougher regulations on contractors working on civic and infrastructure projects.

In a recent interview, Gagrani shared that BMC now includes substantial penalties in all new project contracts, particularly for construction-related violations that contribute to dust pollution. Old contracts lacking these provisions have made enforcement challenging, but the civic body is addressing this by issuing stop-work notices and implementing increased vigilance on work sites.

From October to December 2024, BMC issued 856 notices to contractors for violating dust mitigation norms. Trenching works were temporarily suspended in seven BMC wards, while projects in areas like Byculla and Borivali were paused for three weeks, showing a noticeable improvement in air quality.

In addition to addressing construction-related pollution, Gagrani identified fuel-related emissions from vehicles and street food vendors as other key pollutants contributing to the deteriorating air. With these enhanced efforts, the BMC aims to significantly reduce Mumbai’s air pollution, targeting smaller redevelopment projects in densely populated areas like Byculla and Borivali.

This tightening of regulations is crucial in combating Mumbai’s persistent air quality problems and improving residents’ health and well-being.