January 14, 2026: Union Minister Piyush Goyal on Sunday emphasised the adoption of precast and steel-based construction as a means to curb dust pollution in fast-growing cities like Mumbai. Speaking at a meeting with businessmen and housing society office-bearers at Adarsh Complex in Malad West, Goyal highlighted that traditional reinforced concrete construction significantly contributes to urban air pollution during project execution.
“Construction practices in many countries rely more on steel structures and precast components rather than on-site concrete mixing,” Goyal said, noting that these methods could help address air quality concerns while enabling faster project completion. He also indicated that he may discuss incentives or concessions for adopting precast and steel construction with Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, acknowledging that while initial costs may be higher, environmental and efficiency benefits could offset them over time.
Goyal suggested that instead of imposing blanket bans on pollution-generating construction processes, developers should be encouraged to voluntarily adopt cleaner methods. “Encouraging industry-wide adoption of precast and steel systems could achieve better results than regulatory restrictions alone,” he said. Dust from construction activities is a major contributor to air pollution in dense urban areas, and he recommended that reinforced concrete mixers ideally be shifted outside city limits, citing steps already taken in his parliamentary constituency.
Precast construction involves manufacturing building components in controlled factory environments and assembling them on site, reducing dust, noise, and construction time. Steel structures also allow for faster installation and lower on-site material handling. These methods are increasingly employed in commercial buildings, infrastructure projects, and large housing developments globally, offering solutions for land-constrained metropolitan regions while supporting redevelopment and housing supply.
Goyal also highlighted the importance of dedicated public grounds for religious, cultural, and sports events to relieve pressure on residential areas and improve urban planning outcomes. The discussion focused on local civic issues ahead of the Mumbai municipal corporation elections on January 15, though Goyal briefly referenced his recent visit to Brussels regarding the EU-India Free Trade Agreement.
By promoting cleaner, faster, and environmentally sustainable construction practices, Goyal stressed the potential to balance rapid urban growth with public health and quality of life in Mumbai and other metropolitan regions.
