Mumbai Metro 3: Metro authority neglects anti-dust measures near BMC headquarters

A Metro Aqua Line 3 site near BMC headquarters not covered with tarpaulin, a clear violation of the civic body’s dust-mitigation guidelines, on Mahapalika Marg, on Thursday. Pic/Sayyed Sameer Abedi

Civic chief I S Chahal recently issued pollution-mitigation guidelines to improve the city's lamentable air quality. However, his instructions seem to have fallen on deaf ears, as no such measures have been implemented on the site where Metro-3 work is being carried out a stone's throw away from the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) headquarters. Civic officials, meanwhile, claim that they have started issuing intimation notices to construction sites and will soon start making field visits to ensure the guidelines are implemented.

A Metro Aqua Line 3 site near the BMC headquarters that has not been covered with tarpaulin, a clear violation of the civic body's dust-mitigation guidelines, on Mahapalika Marg on Thursday. Pic/Sayyed Sameer Abedi

After the Prime Minister's Office and Chief Minister's Office expressed concern about the sudden rise in the city's pollution levels last month, Chahal on October 25 issued final dust-mitigation guidelines. The timeline for the procurement of sprinklers for construction sites is 15 days from the issuance of the guidelines while smog guns must be set up within 30 days. The guidelines mention that the contractor and authorities concerned should erect iron sheets around construction sites and enclose them with green cloth, jute sheets and tarpaulin.

Guidelines flouted

Meanwhile, when mid-day visited a spot where a subway is being created for the Mumbai Metro Aqua Line 3 just outside the BMC headquarters on Mahapalika Marg, no steps seemed to have been taken to protect the surrounding area from dust.

A Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation spokesperson said, "The subway work has been completed and the final road restoration work is in progress. Therefore, barricades have been consciously removed and pipe railing is being used for traffic control. It is being ensured that water is sprinkled in and around the site for dust suppression during this period."

Chahal did not respond to this reporter's calls. Meanwhile, civic officials claimed that are issuing intimation notices to construction sites to make them aware of the guidelines. "In the next two to three days, our team will start visiting construction sites. If any lapses are found, we will take action," said a civic official.

Possible bonfire ban

The BMC is considering banning bonfires in the city. "During winter, a large number of bonfires are lit by watchmen in housing societies as well as security guards and workers living at construction sites. This causes pollution. We are thinking of banning bonfires in the city," said an official. He added, "We will ask societies to provide heaters and clothing to watchmen and ask contractors to provide facilities to workers on construction sites. We have not taken a decision yet. We are thinking about this."