The state government of Mumbai intends to promote the usage of precast building materials in order to reduce the city’s increasing air pollution levels. In contrast to building these components on-site, the government is developing a strategy to incentivize contractors and real estate firms to transition to precast construction, according to state environment minister Pankaja Munde.
Munde stated, “We have already taken action against ongoing construction works for pollution control,” emphasising that prefabricated building components would be constructed outside of Mumbai. Developers can continue their work without affecting the atmosphere thanks to precast construction. They will benefit from this, and it will significantly lower air pollution. According to her, both public and private construction projects will be covered by the policy.
Due to the controlled off-site manufacturing of precast concrete components, prefabricated construction reduces carbon emissions. Conventional on-site building techniques can entail lengthy processes that increase greenhouse gas emissions, energy use, and air pollution.
State environment department officials said that while manufacturing these components outside the city would result in higher shipping costs, it will also reduce the use of resources like steel and cement and allow for stringent quality control.
Such a regulation would bring about a paradigm shift for the business, according to Rajesh Prajapati, chairwoman of the public relations and media committee of MCHI-CREDAI, an umbrella organisation of real estate developers in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR). We are not opposed to such actions because air pollution is a significant issue in Mumbai, but they require careful consideration because some things will affect the sector. What would happen, for example, if a developer didn’t have a site outside of the city? Where is he going to produce the parts? If so, will the government arrange for these kinds of units? We must investigate if implementing such a policy will result in higher expenses and time.
Construction sites that led to a high Air Quality Index (AQI) in the area were the target of a crackdown by the state environment department and municipal authorities in January of this year. Notices to either stop building or take corrective action, like sprinkling water, have been sent to numerous sites in an effort to lessen air pollution caused by construction activities.
Munde stated that the environment department will shortly reveal a comprehensive approach to reduce pollution. The task force’s work and the creation of a roadmap to reduce pollution in Mumbai are also in progress. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation and other departments and agencies are being trusted to determine their roles in carrying out the policy, she said.
In addition to construction sites, bakeries and restaurants that rely on conventional cooking methods that employ coal and firewood are being targeted by the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board and BMC. By the first week of July, these businesses have been given notice to convert their ovens to non-polluting energy sources including electricity, LPG, and PNG.
Additionally, Munde stated that her agency is taking action to ensure that the Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) established by cooperative housing organisations are operating in accordance with the rules. “STPs have been established by large cooperative groups, but they are not being adequately run. In order to make sure that societies make use of them, we will take measures for more stringent oversight,” she stated.
Source: Hindustan Times
