January 27, 2026: The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has issued stop-work notices to several major infrastructure and redevelopment projects across Mumbai, including the Sion Railway Station Road Over Bridge (ROB) and the Worli BDD Chawl redevelopment, citing non-compliance with air pollution mitigation norms. The action follows strong criticism from the Bombay High Court over lapses in enforcing air quality regulations at construction sites.
On January 21, the designated officer of the F-North ward served a notice to M/s Giriraj Civil Developers, the contractor for the Sion ROB project, under Sections 351, 352 and 354A of the MMC Act, 1888, directing the firm to halt work within 24 hours. The BMC also instructed the Sion police station, under Section 354A(2), to keep vigil at the site and remove anyone carrying out or supervising construction activity.
Similar notices were issued by the G-South ward to contractors involved in prominent projects, including M/s Tata Projects for the Worli BDD Chawl redevelopment, M/s Raheja Universal Pvt Ltd for Imperial 2 at Lower Parel, and Kalpataru’s project at Worli Naka. Stop-work orders were also served on the Dr BR Ambedkar Smarak Sabhagruha project in Parel and several other construction sites, with the civic body warning that sites could be sealed if compliance is not ensured.
Additional projects facing stoppages include sites in Naigaon, Dadar, Parel, Lalbaug and Powai. On January 22, the BMC said it had issued stop-work notices to 106 construction sites across the city for failing to install mandatory air-quality-monitoring systems. “Despite sustained follow-ups since May 2025, several project authorities failed to comply, prompting the BMC to order an immediate halt to work at non-compliant sites,” officials said.
The civic body informed the Bombay High Court last week that 662 construction sites are yet to install air quality sensors. During the latest hearing, the court criticised civic authorities for their “belligerent disregard” of its orders on pollution control and warned of strict action against senior officials.
According to BMC submissions, the city’s AQI currently ranges between 100 and 140, but the court said it was not satisfied with even moderate pollution levels. As of January 25, Mumbai’s overall AQI stood at 106, with higher readings reported in areas such as Colaba, Kurla, Malad West and the Bandra Kurla Complex.
