BMC sends stop-work notifications to two building sites for filthy air.

By Bricksnwall | 2024-10-28

The BMC issued stop-work letters to two building sites in Mumbai for violating air pollution control standards amid escalating air quality concerns.

MUMBAI: In a significant step towards reducing air pollution, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) issued stop-work warnings to two building sites on Saturday evening for failing to follow air pollution control norms. The sites, located in Vile Parle and JB Nagar in Andheri East, were found to be in breach of crucial procedures designed to reduce dust and particulate matter emissions during building and demolition activities.

Residents of both communities discovered the infractions and reported them to authorities. The civic authority responded quickly, deploying special teams to investigate, resulting in the issuance of stop-work orders. The demolition in JB Nagar resulted in debris falling into an adjacent chawl, while in Vile Parle, a substantial amount of dust was generated due to a lack of suitable covering.

With air quality predicted to deteriorate in November, the civic authority has increased its efforts to ensure that construction sites follow the appropriate rules to limit pollution. The infractions are in accordance with the BMC's air pollution reduction standards, which were issued on October 25, 2023, and define particular steps to be implemented on construction sites. For example, construction sites taller than 70 meters must be enclosed by at least 35-foot-high tin or metal sheets. Structures under destruction must be completely covered with tarpaulin, and water spraying must be done continually during demolition..

Manish Valanju, assistant commissioner of the K East Ward (Andheri East, Vile Parle East, and Jogeshwari East), confirmed that stop-work letters had been issued for the sites on Shahaji Raje Road in Vile Parle and JB Nagar in Andheri East.

One of the sites was being demolished, while the other lacked proper dust control measures. "The demolition was in progress, but the site was left uncovered, resulting in excessive dust pollution that could have been prevented with proper dust control measures," Valanju told me.

According to Valanju, based on trends over the last two years, Mumbai's air quality normally deteriorates around November and December.

"We've issued a 354(a) notice. They must comply within 24 hours, or else the building site will be sealed," Valanju stated.

Stop-work notices were given to both Chandak Realtors Pvt. Ltd., which is in charge of the Andheri East project, and Kamala Homes & Lifestyle Pvt. Ltd., which is in charge of the Vile Parle project. While Chandak Realtors has yet to respond, Kamala Homes is unavailable for comment.

The stop-work notices, issued under Section 354A of the Mumbai Municipal Corporation Act, required developers to immediately halt building and submit proof of conformity with authorised criteria within 24 hours. The notifications further said that failing to comply would result in the removal of all building materials, machinery, and equipment from the site at the developers' exclusive risk and expense.

It read as follows: "If the erection of the building or execution of the work is not stopped forthwith or compliance of directives issued as above are not done concerning the notice, all the materials, machinery, equipment, devices, or articles used in the process of erection of the said building or execution of the said work will be removed from the site, at your risk and cost, without further notice."

Source: Hindustan Times