December 5, 2025: The Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) has stepped up enforcement measures as winter pollution begins to worsen across the city. Responding to a surge in complaints from residents in Ghansoli, Airoli, Nerul, and Turbhe, the civic body has inspected 86 construction sites over the past week to curb rising dust levels.
Residents have reported increasingly visible layers of dust on balconies, children experiencing morning coughs, and deteriorating air quality. In light of this, NMMC’s multi-department teams have launched daily inspections at construction locations, quarries and ready-mix concrete (RMC) plants.
“We are checking for barricades, sprinklers, green nets, and covered debris movement. Notices have been issued, and repeat violations will invite a week-long closure and penalties,” said NMMC Chief Dr Kailas Shinde.
At the Turbhe MIDC belt, authorities carried out deep-cleaning operations using mechanical brushes and flipper machines. Roads were subsequently washed with treated sewage water to minimise the waste of potable water while helping settle suspended particles.
Some residents have acknowledged visible improvements on the ground. “For months, we suffered silently as dust kept rising from construction around us. Only this week, I saw three cleaning machines pass by our lane,” said Seema Patkar, resident, Koperkhairane.
Environmental groups have welcomed the move but stressed the need for sustained action. A Belapur-based activist noted, “Inspecting 86 sites in a week is significant, but this must continue for months. If contractors strictly follow dust-control norms, AQI will automatically improve.”
NMMC officials say early air-quality readings show slight improvement and believe that the combination of strict enforcement and extensive cleaning drives is beginning to show results. However, both experts and residents emphasise that the real challenge will be maintaining consistent enforcement throughout the winter months, when pollution levels typically peak.
Source: Mid-day
