In response to the growing number of complaints about noise and air pollution brought on by ongoing building and renovation projects within its authority, the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) has taken action. Following orders from the Mumbai High Court in the Suo Moto Public Interest Litigation, which emphasised the necessity of taking action to reduce air pollution, the action was taken.
Early this year, Municipal Commissioner Dr. Kailas Shinde established an expert group, chaired by Additional Commissioner 2, to guarantee compliance. In order to help developers and contractors reduce noise and air pollution during excavation, blasting, and construction—especially for projects with many basement levels—the committee has developed a “Standard Operating Procedure (SOP)” that outlines standards.
The commissioner approved sanctions for infractions on July 26, 2024, which are also included in the SOP. On August 1, 2024, a circular outlining these rules and sanctions was subsequently released.
To guarantee rigorous enforcement, a special task team has been established. Every week, officers from the appropriate departments must evaluate construction sites and report back to the assistant director of town planning. If there are infractions, the NMMC will file a lawsuit under the Maharashtra Municipal Corporations Act of 1949 and the MRTP Act of 1966.
To minimise the danger of accidents at construction sites and avoid annoying people, the NMMC has also urged developers and citizens to adhere to the new SOP. By taking this proactive stance, the NMMC hopes to improve the quality of life for those living in Navi Mumbai by finding a balance between environmental sustainability and urban development.
Source: Lokmat Times
