Acting firmly against rising air pollution, the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) has sealed seven construction sites in the Sanpada and Turbhe areas for failing to comply with mandated pollution control norms. The action comes in response to directions issued by the Bombay High Court in a suo motu public interest litigation (PIL No. 3 of 2023), which called for immediate and effective measures to address deteriorating air quality levels across urban areas.
In its order dated December 24, 2025, the High Court instructed civic authorities to strictly enforce standard operating procedures (SOPs at construction sites to curb air, dust, and noise pollution. Following the directive, NMMC issued notices to developers, cautioning that non-compliance with pollution control measures would result in stop-work action. Despite these warnings, inspections revealed widespread violations.
During a site inspection on January 24 led by NMMC chief Dr Kailas Shinde, officials observed multiple lapses at several construction locations. Mandatory 30-foot-high metal barricades were either missing or insufficient, while under-construction buildings were not adequately covered with green wet jute sheets. Water fogging, required during the loading and unloading of construction materials to suppress dust, was largely absent.
Further violations included the lack of safety equipment such as masks and goggles for construction workers and the absence of operational water sprinkling systems to control dust within a 500-metre radius of the sites. Vehicles transporting construction material were found uncovered, allowing dust to spread on adjacent roads. Officials also noted that no site supervisors or authorised representatives were present at several locations during the inspection, indicating serious lapses in on-site management.
In view of the persistent non-compliance, NMMC sealed five construction sites on January 27, followed by two additional sites on January 29. Civic officials said the action underscores the corporation’s commitment to enforcing environmental safeguards and complying with judicial directions. The drive is expected to continue, with authorities warning that further violations will attract strict penalties as part of broader efforts to control urban pollution and protect public health.
Source: Mid-day
