Mumbai’s worsening air quality has prompted the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to intensify action against construction and redevelopment sites that fail to comply with dust-control regulations. The civic body has issued a stop-work notice and imposed a Rs 35,000 penalty following violations at a demolition site in Andheri West.
The action was taken at a site in Oshiwara after residents complained about dust spreading through the surrounding neighbourhood. The BMC identified multiple lapses, including improperly covered construction materials and debris, soil and waste scattered across roads and footpaths, uncovered drilling and cutting operations, and the lack of adequate dust-extraction equipment and tyre-washing facilities.
The notice was issued under Section 354A of the Mumbai Municipal Corporation Act, 1888. Local police were also instructed to monitor whether the site complied with the civic body’s directions.
Meanwhile, the BMC has temporarily withdrawn a provision making architects and licensed surveyors jointly accountable with developers for pollution-control violations. The decision followed discussions with professional representatives on October 8, after the Council of Architecture objected to a September 2 circular that allowed licences to be suspended for non-compliance.
Architect Vilas Nagalkar, a member of the Practising Engineers Architects and Town Planners Association (PEATA), said architects involved in preparing building plans generally have little involvement in demolition and excavation, which are handled by contractors.
“The actual on-site execution of both activities above is in the hands of the execution team, the contractor. Hence, seeking any undertaking from a professional was not justified,” said Nagalkar.
Under its November 2025 guidelines, the BMC introduced a 28-point framework covering dust suppression, air-quality monitoring, excavation, demolition and debris transportation. Its pollution-response procedure also allows construction restrictions when the city or a local area records an AQI above 200 for three consecutive days.
Legal experts say developers responsible for pollution violations may not qualify for project extensions. However, broader government-ordered construction suspensions could potentially justify additional time under Section 6 of the Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act, 2016, subject to MahaRERA’s assessment and applicable rules.
The latest action highlights the growing scrutiny of construction practices as Mumbai seeks to curb pollution while balancing redevelopment activity.
Source: Hindustan Times
