Mumbai air pollution: Monitoring systems installed at 1,952 construction sites

The Maharashtra government on Thursday informed the Legislative Assembly that air pollution monitoring systems have been installed at a majority of construction sites across Mumbai as part of measures to curb rising pollution levels in the cityReplying to a question raised by Dahisar MLA Manisha Chaudhary during the ongoing Budget Session Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde said it was incorrect to claim that the administration had no information regarding compliance or action related to the installation of air quality monitoring sensors at construction sitesHe said that as per the orders issued by the Bombay High Court on January 9 and April 29 2025 it has been made mandatory to install air pollution monitoring devices along with LED display boards at all ongoing construction projectsShinde informed the House that 1952 out of 2224 construction sites in Mumbai had installed air pollution monitoring systems as of February 16 2026 In addition a Decision Support System DSS has also been implemented to help monitor and analyse air quality dataMeasures to control construction dustThe Deputy Chief Minister rejected the claim that the administration was ignoring pollution caused by construction dust He said the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation BMC is implementing the ldquoMumbai Air Pollution Mitigation Plan 2023rdquo to control air pollution levels and address major sources of emissionsHe said the civic body issued comprehensive guidelines on October 25 2023 prescribing 27 measures for construction contractors developers construction professionals and municipal officials to control dust pollution These guidelines were revised on October 15 2024 increasing the measures to 28The measures include installing sheet barricades around construction sites covering the areas with green cloth or netting regular water sprinkling to suppress dust and ensuring scientific storage and transportation of debris The guidelines also mandate the installation of air pollution monitoring equipment at construction sites along with other preventive steps to reduce dust emissionsTo ensure proper implementation of these guidelines the BMC has formed departmental flying squads that conduct inspections and take action against violatorsLongterm steps to reduce pollutionShinde also highlighted several longterm initiatives being undertaken in coordination with various government agencies and stakeholders to address air pollution in MumbaiThese measures include improving road quality expanding public transport through metro networks and promoting sustainable urban mobility across the cityHe informed the Assembly that 354 wood and coalbased bakeries and crematorium furnaces within the BMC limits have been converted to cleaner fuels such as pipeline natural gas or electricityThe BEST undertaking is also gradually introducing electric buses in its public transport fleet to help reduce vehicular emissionsIn addition the government appointed the Automotive Research Association of India ARAI in December 2024 to identify pollution sources and update the emission inventory for the Mumbai Metropolitan Region MMRShinde said that in view of these ongoing measures the question of delay in addressing air pollution in Mumbai does not arise