Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai
Mumbai, Dec 19: In a move aimed at tightening control over air pollution, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has proposed a fivefold increase in penalties for violations of air pollution norms, raising the minimum fine from Rs 10,000 to Rs 50,000.
Deputy Municipal Commissioner (Environment and Climate Change) Avinash Kate said on Thursday that the proposed hike is intended to act as a strong deterrent against construction sites contributing to air pollution. “At present, Rs 10,000 is the lowest penalty imposed. We have proposed increasing it to Rs 50,000 to ensure stricter compliance with pollution control measures,” he said.
The proposal has been submitted to Municipal Commissioner and Administrator Bhushan Gagrani for approval. Civic officials said higher penalties would help enforce pollution norms more effectively at construction sites across the city.
Currently, the BMC is monitoring 1,954 private construction sites through 94 flying squads comprising assistant engineers, nuisance detectors and sub-engineers from the environment and climate change department.
On Thursday alone, the civic body issued show-cause notices to 20 construction sites and stop-work notices to 18 sites. Additionally, deep-cleaning misting machines were deployed at 27 locations, while water tankers were used to wash roads at 41 locations.
Between December 1 and December 16, the BMC issued 353 show-cause notices and 121 stop-work notices against polluting sites. According to the civic body, these enforcement measures have led to a noticeable improvement in air quality compared to the same period last year. In early December last year, Mumbai’s Air Quality Index (AQI) ranged between 158 and 167, while this year it has remained between 105 and 113.
On Thursday, Mumbai’s overall air quality remained in the ‘moderate’ category, with an AQI of 138, as per Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data. Mindspace in Malad West recorded the highest AQI at 192, followed by Kherwadi in Bandra East at 162 and Ghatkopar at 156. Byculla and Deonar logged an AQI of 149 each, while Malad West stood at 148.
The Bandra-Kurla Complex and Navy Nagar–Colaba recorded an AQI of 144 each, followed by Chembur at 143. Colaba reported an AQI of 139, Siddharth Nagar–Worli at 135, Kandivali West at 130, Shivaji Nagar at 126 and Chakala–Andheri East at 121.
Relatively cleaner air was reported in Borivali East (AQI 110), Mazgaon (108) and Sewri (104), while Mulund West recorded the lowest AQI at 64.