Mumbai: BMC halts demolition work over dust pollution in Andheri West

Residents complained of dust pollution due to the demolition of an old building at P Tandon Marg opposite Infinity Mall in Mumbais Andheri WestOfficials of Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation BMCs KWest ward said that they have issued a stop work notice to the developer on Monday morning before the demolition work startedEven after the notice was issued the builder started the demolition work After receiving information our team reached on the spot and immediately stopped workrdquo official addedMeanwhile BMC also instructed Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority MHADA to take appropriate action against the developer as the permission for redevelopment was given by the state housing bodyStop Work Notice under Section 354 A has been issued to the concerned builderdeveloperarchitectowner for noncompliance with dust pollution control norms including the absence of windbreaking sheets water sprinkling and proper debris management Strict action will behellip httpstcojbJJjYUeeHmdash Mumbai BMC mybmc January 13 2025Mumbai air quality BMC stops work at 191 construction sites for not complyingThe Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation BMC has stopped work at 191 construction sites across the city for failing to adhere to the civic bodyrsquos 28point dust mitigation guidelinesAccording to an official from the municipal corporationrsquos environment department since November 1 2024 the BMC has visited around 1038 construction sites and lapses were found at 856 spots following which the civic body issued notices to those concerned along with orders to follow the guidelinesHowever even after being served notices guidelines werenrsquot being followed on 462 of the 856 construction sitesldquoThe BMC then issued a stopwork notice to the defaulters After this 271 out of 462 construction sites implemented dust mitigation guidelinesrdquo the official added ldquoWe have revoked the stopwork notices issued to the 271 sites but the stopwork order is still in force at the remaining 191 sitesrdquo an official saidAfter receiving a notice from the civic body the company or individual concerned needs to implement the guidelines in three days and stopwork notices are issued if this warning is ignored There are around 2100 private construction sites where work is ongoing across the cityMeanwhile the BMC has decided not to give permission to new trench work across Mumbai while the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board will not approve new readymix concrete plants in the metropolisAccording to the guidelines construction sites must be covered on all sides with green clothjutetarpaulin and there must be sheets or metal covering at least 25 feet in height around every project Spraying of water misting scientific storage and transportation of radars installation of air quality monitoring sensors and vehicle wheel washing facilities are also mandatoryAlso project promotersbuilding developers and construction project mechanical and electrical contractors are required to prepare an environmental management plan