The Panvel Municipal Corporation (PMC) has intensified its enforcement against air pollution violations, issuing stop work orders to 34 real estate projects for repeatedly failing to comply with mandatory dust mitigation norms. The action follows earlier warnings and inspections, with civic officials signalling a tougher stance as air quality in the city deteriorates.
“Establishments that do not take corrective action within 15 days of notices being issued will be shut down,” said PMC commissioner Mangesh Chitale. “Construction work will be halted if measures to improve air quality are not taken.”
Alongside the construction sector, the civic body has also turned its attention to commercial establishments contributing to pollution. Notices have been served to 151 bakeries, hotels and restaurants, directing them to shift from coal and wood-fired operations to cleaner alternatives such as LPG or electricity. Those failing to comply face the prospect of closure, according to officials.
The latest crackdown was triggered by a sharp spike in Panvel’s Air Quality Index (AQI) during the final week of January, when pollution levels crossed into the ‘severe’ category in several areas. Civic officials said the worsening air quality underscored the need for immediate and visible enforcement, particularly at large construction sites known to be major sources of dust emissions.
The 34 projects where work has been halted are spread across key growth nodes in the city. Of these, 15 are located in New Panvel and Panvel City, 10 in Kalamboli, and nine in Kamothe. These developments were part of a larger group of 169 projects that had earlier received show-cause notices for violating pollution control norms. Stop work orders were issued after surprise re-inspections revealed that basic corrective steps had still not been implemented.
Inspection reports highlighted a series of lapses across multiple sites, civic officials said. Developers had failed to install the mandated 25-foot metal barricades around construction perimeters or cover under-construction buildings with wet green cloth to prevent dust from spreading. Water sprinklers and anti-smog guns, required to suppress particulate matter, were missing at most locations. Transport protocols were also ignored, with vehicles carrying ready-mix concrete found spilling material onto public roads.
Officials further noted that noisy activities such as cutting and drilling were being carried out in open areas instead of enclosed spaces, exacerbating both dust and noise pollution. Many sites were also found to be operating without mandatory sensor-based air quality monitors and CCTV cameras, which are required for real-time compliance tracking and accountability.
The enforcement drive forms a key part of the PMC’s wider ₹140-crore anti-pollution master plan aimed at improving air quality across Panvel. As part of this initiative, the civic body is installing air purification systems at 10 high-traffic locations. These systems will use a water-based scrubbing process to filter harmful PM2.5 and PM10 particles from the air.
In addition, mobile fog cannon vehicles will be deployed along major roads to suppress dust, particularly during peak traffic hours. The PMC also plans to develop two enclosed waste transfer stations in New Panvel and Kalamboli at a cost of ₹26 crore. These facilities are intended to ensure scientific, odour-free transport of garbage and reduce secondary pollution from waste handling.
Civic officials said the recent actions signal a zero-tolerance approach to non-compliance, as Panvel grapples with the twin challenges of rapid urban growth and environmental sustainability.
Source: Hindustan Times
