In a discussion on Thursday, experts emphasised the importance of efficient construction and demolition (C&D) waste management in addressing Mumbai’s increasing air pollution, stating that a complete ban on construction sites will not enhance the air quality index (AQI).
Dr. Rakesh Kumar, president of the Society for Indoor Environment, stated that if the construction industry was grouped together under one heading based only on low AQI, the root cause and effect would not be adequately addressed, even though the BMC had recently banned construction sites in neighbourhoods like Borivali East and Byculla.
“While there are many different tasks involved in construction, only two or three of them significantly contribute to dust pollution,” he stated. There might be a small drop in pollution if local building is halted, but this is not a significant solution. The transportation of building materials is the true problem since it contributes to pollution in a regional area, usually within a 4- to 5-kilometer radius. This explains the smog that permeates the entire city.
Kumar further explained that if building material storage contained dust, spraying water could help, but it was not helpful for cement. “You might need to cover them or apply water if the materials are mixed,” he stated. “This type of focused strategy is required to raise AQI readings. Additionally, favourable wind and sun conditions cause AQI levels to be low on some days. Kumar went on to say that industries that needed to be controlled but were not being adequately managed included biomass burning, automobiles, and construction.
Dr. Lancelot Pinto, a consultant pulmonologist and epidemiologist, discussed a cutting-edge app while citing a study conducted by the US-based Berkley Earth. “It gives the average person a simpler understanding,” he stated. For instance, it informs you that you smoke the equivalent of 60 cigarettes each month—this is scientific evidence, not just jargon—instead of AQI figures. One cigarette a day is generally equal to a PM 2.5 level of about 22. This equates to about six cigarettes per day in Mumbai, where the average AQI is about 120, and everyone is impacted by this exposure.
According to Kiran Dighavkar, deputy municipal commissioner (solid waste management), the Solid Waste Management Act of 2016 made C&D garbage a priority, and after numerous demolitions were carried out during the city’s vertical rise, it’s segregation became required in 2019. C&D makes up 30% of Deonar’s waste, despite the BMC’s initial disregard for it.
Under the 2025 SWM plan, enterprises must now manage their own C&D waste, with the BMC’s responsibility confined to collection. However, because collection fees are minimal, unapproved contractors frequently unlawfully dispose of debris on roadways, in mangroves, and other places, he claimed. Despite having two C&D plants, the BMC is finding it difficult to keep up with the increasing demand.
Currently, we collect only 600 tonnes of C&D garbage daily, far from the 5,000 to 6,000 tonnes needed, with sources including repairs, redevelopment, and illegal constructions, especially in slums. The BMC intends to enhance waste collection infrastructure and expand its capacity in order to address this.
Source: Hindustan Times