Mumbai: In a first, builder booked for flouting air pollution norms

The offending plot by builder Bharat Reality Ventures Private Limited in Vile Parle West

The BMC is finally taking a serious approach against the increase in air pollution in Mumbai. For the first time, civic officials have registered an FIR against a builder for violating a Bombay High Court (HC) order and violating air pollution guidelines during construction work. The BMC informed the Santacruz police about the violations after which an FIR, under IPC section 291 (continuance of nuisance after injunction to discontinue) was registered against Bharat Reality Ventures Private Limited in Vile Parle West.

The BMC has also issued warnings to other builders in the city, urging them to adhere to the HC guidelines. As per the guidelines, due to increased air pollution in Mumbai, every builder is required to cover the construction area from all sides with fencing and nets having a height of at least 25 feet.

Recently, Mumbai's air quality worsened and it surpassed Delhi as the country's city with the worst Air Quality Index (AQI). Following the development, the BMC started taking action against developers violating the norms. Last month, the civic body had warned that any construction sites found violating its new air pollution guidelines will be sealed, and stop work notices will be issued.

The BMC has also established a team to visit construction sites on a daily basis in order to ensure compliance with the guidelines. Accordingly, the BMC's K West ward officer and his team visited the developer's site in Vile Parle West and discovered that guidelines were not being followed and the construction activity had increased air pollution in the area.

Speaking with mid-day, DCP Krishnakant Upadhyay from Zone 9 stated, "We have registered an FIR against Bharat Developers for violating the air pollution guidelines of the High Court. The BMC reported that the developer did not cover the construction site from all sides, thereby contributing to air pollution. We have initiated an investigation into this case."

According to the HC's air pollution guidelines, 35-foot-high sheets must be installed to fence all construction layouts with an area of over 1 acre, while those with an area of under 1 acre must have fencing that is at least 25 feet high. Additionally, all buildings under construction must be enclosed with green cloth, jute sheets, or tarpaulin from all sides.

Speaking with mid-day Deputy Municipal Commissioner Vishwas Shankarwar said, "The builder did not install 25-foot-high fencing while carrying out construction on the site. They were also not cleaning the tyres of vehicles exiting from the construction site. As a result, air pollution increasing in the area. We registered an FIR and also issued the stop work notice under."

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Mumbai AQI on Monday night