Mumbai, December 30, 2024 — Facing choking levels of pollution, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation has gone for a full-blown action to improve air quality in Bombay.
With immediate effect, no construction work in Borivali East and Byculla is allowed; these areas for several days had AQIs exceeding the 200-level mark, denoting poor air quality.
Implementing GRAP IV Features
Most importantly, the BMC’s declaration has adhered to the Graded Response Action Plan IV, one of the emergency responses to drastic pollution.
Bhushan Gagrani, Municipal Commissioner and Chairman of the air quality monitoring committee appointed by the Bombay High Court, said that all private and public construction activities, including those carried out by the BMC, will remain suspended until air quality improves.
If these orders do not bear fruit, action would be initiated against violators under Section 52 of the Maharashtra Regional Town Planning Act, and police complaints will also be filed against them.
Additional Initiatives for Combating Air Pollution
Aside from banning construction, the BMC has flagged several proposed initiatives to combat the pollution crisis:
Dust Control: The Solid Waste Management Department has initiated a special cleanliness drive, launching 67 tankers to wash and control dust. During November, from the 13th up to the 20th day of December 2024, some 5820 kilometers of roads were cleaned. The misting machines were used to spray dust particles along 3311 kilometers.
Debris and Waste Control: The BMC has declared an intensified drive for managing construction debris and illegal dumping. From November 4, 2023, to December 10, 2024, it launched penal actions in 352 open-burning cases. It lifted up to 939 tonnes of construction debris and deployed over 350 clean-up marshals to regulate against unauthorized dumping.
Public Transportation Enhancement: The Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) is seeking to procure 2100 single-decker and double-decker electric buses so that fewer vehicle emissions will enter the air. There are already in operation 299 single-decker and 50 double-decker electric buses expediting a green alternative to two-wheelers or other private vehicles.
Citizen Participation and Advisory
- People in Mumbai have been asked to support the BMC in pollution abatement by:
- Using public transport to lessen the number of private vehicles plying on the road.
- Not engaging in open waste burning, which is one of the leading interests contributing to air pollution.
- Complying with waste segregation and disposal guidelines to ease effective waste management.
- They should also confront the authorities if something is seriously wrong with the anti-pollution measures.
Health Concerns Because of High AQI Levels
An AQI value above 200 is considered ‘poor,’ which may pose health hazards, especially for the sensitive population (children, aged, and those with pre-existing respiratory conditions). Prolonged exposure could fall into the category of aggravating health complaints, which include asthma, bronchitis, and other respiratory diseases.
The promptness and strictness with which the BMC has enforced GRAP-IV measures denote the urgency of the air quality crisis in Mumbai. Affected areas with high AQI reading will be suspended from construction and a dust and waste management program will be put into place for this very purpose-to protect public health.
The success of this strategy will, however, depend on mass compliance and participation by everyone, including citizens, builders, and government agencies.
