Mumbai: The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has directed developers and contractors across the city to suspend hazardous construction activities and strengthen safety measures at project sites following the India Meteorological Department’s (IMD) Red Alert for extremely heavy rainfall and strong winds.
The civic body said compliance with the advisory is mandatory, stressing that safeguarding construction workers, nearby residents and the general public must remain the highest priority during adverse weather conditions.
In its directive, the BMC instructed developers, architects, licensed surveyors, contractors, project managers and site engineers to immediately inspect all temporary structures, including scaffolding, tower cranes, material hoists, safety nets, formwork, tin sheets and site barricades, to ensure they are stable and securely fastened.
The corporation also directed that loose construction materials stored on upper floors, terraces and elevated platforms be removed or firmly secured to prevent them from being displaced by strong winds.
According to the advisory, lifting operations and all work at heights must be suspended whenever weather conditions pose a safety risk. Builders have also been instructed to establish exclusion zones beneath active work areas to prevent accidents involving workers and pedestrians.
The BMC further asked construction agencies to conduct immediate site-wide safety inspections, identify and rectify hazardous conditions without delay, and ensure that all workers use prescribed personal protective equipment (PPE) and fall-protection systems while on site.
Developers have also been directed to continuously monitor weather forecasts and maintain precautionary measures until weather conditions return to normal.
The advisory comes as Mumbai continues to experience heavy rainfall accompanied by strong winds, prompting authorities to step up safety measures across the city. Civic officials said strict adherence to construction safety protocols is essential to minimise risks during the ongoing monsoon, particularly at sites involving excavation, elevated work and heavy machinery operations.
The BMC reiterated that all stakeholders must comply with the prescribed guidelines to ensure safe construction practices throughout the period of adverse weather.
Source: The Economic Times
