Mumbai’s worsening air quality has triggered fresh concerns over responsibility for pollution, with real estate leaders arguing that construction activity, infrastructure projects and vehicular emissions must all be addressed. Their comments come as the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) warns developers and contractors of strict action for failing to follow dust-control requirements at construction sites and nearby roads.
“It is not proper to target one community (developers). About 90% are following all norms, while 10% may not be complying,” said Niranjan Hiranandani, chairman and managing director of Hiranandani Communities.
Hiranandani pointed to major infrastructure works, including the Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train corridor, Versova-Bandra Sea Link and Thane-Borivali Twin Tunnel, as additional sources of dust and pollution.
“There is a lot of vehicular pollution happening,” he said, recommending the use of recycled water for road cleaning to control airborne dust.
Mumbai’s Air Quality Index has remained in the unhealthy range in recent weeks. The Bombay High Court has also raised concerns about pollution levels in the city exceeding those recorded in Delhi. Although sea breezes have traditionally helped disperse pollutants, changing weather conditions appear to be reducing this natural advantage.
Boman Irani, chairman and managing director of Rustomjee Group, said current climatic conditions were limiting the dispersal of pollutants. He identified traffic and infrastructure construction as significant contributors. His company, he said, uses spray guns and filters at construction sites and washes trucks before they leave the premises.
Gulam Zia, international partner and senior executive director at Knight Frank, maintained that developers, infrastructure agencies and vehicle owners shared responsibility for the situation.
“Real estate development has increased in the last two to three years, even infrastructure works have also increased,” Zia said.
He noted that 70-80% of metro construction was reportedly complete and several infrastructure projects were approaching completion. However, he criticised inadequate compliance at some building sites.
“Developers are equally responsible for the pollution. Even today, one can see trucks with muddy tyres moving in and out of construction sites,” he said.
Source: Financial Express
