Amid rising construction activity across Mumbai, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has initiated a citywide road-washing campaign aimed at curbing dust pollution and maintaining stable air quality levels. The annual drive, expected to run for around 150 days, will primarily cover the non-monsoon construction season.
With over 2,400 active construction sites and 629 road projects currently underway, civic officials say dust accumulation on roads has become a significant contributor to particulate pollution. Construction typically peaks between October and May, while work slows from July to September during the monsoon. Dust from these sites often settles on roads and is resuspended by moving traffic, worsening local air quality.
To address this, the BMC will deploy high-pressure water tankers and misting machines across all municipal wards, especially in construction-heavy and pollution-prone areas. Tankers with capacities of 2,000 litres, 5,000 litres and 10,000 litres will be pressed into service. Each vehicle is expected to make up to 125 trips daily, using high-pressure jets to clean carriageways and remove accumulated dust.
In addition to road washing, 28 misting machines are being procured to help settle airborne dust particles. Unlike conventional washing, these machines spray fine droplets into the air, enabling suspended dust to settle more effectively.
According to the latest air quality snapshot, the city recorded an AQI of 70 (Satisfactory) on Wednesday, with only two green days logged in February so far. Carbon monoxide from vehicles remains the dominant pollutant.
Kiran Dighavkar, deputy municipal commissioner, said, ‘This is a mandate to safeguard the environment in the vicinity of construction sites. Roads are washed to remove dust from carriageways.’
A civic official from the SWM department added, ‘We do this to keep AQI under control in non-monsoon months. At present, the BMC sprays water on roads around construction zones.
Source: Mid-day
