Despite the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) stepping up enforcement to curb rising air pollution levels in the city, violations continue unabated on the ground, raising questions about the effectiveness of implementation. Even though the civic body has issued stop-work notices to 53 construction sites for flouting pollution control norms, contractors and workers continue to ferry debris and raw materials in open trucks, openly violating mandatory guidelines.
As per BMC regulations, all vehicles carrying construction materials such as sand, cement, rubble and debris must be covered to prevent dust from dispersing into the air. However, ground-level checks across multiple parts of the city have revealed trucks plying with uncovered loads, allowing fine dust and construction waste to spill onto roads. Once airborne due to traffic and wind, this dust contributes significantly to particulate matter levels, further worsening the city’s already declining air quality.
Another truck carrying construction waste uncovered on the Vikhroli route. Pic/Shadab Khan
The violations are widespread. From arterial roads to internal lanes near construction hotspots, uncovered trucks move freely throughout the day. Motorists, especially two-wheeler riders, face the worst of it. “With each passing day, it`s becoming difficult to ride to work and come back home. Heavy trucks with soil and debris zoom past, which causes a lot of dust to fly in the air or settle on the road. Often these particles get into the eyes, and we lose balance. From breathing problems to eye infections, I have faced everything in the last six months,” said Jitendra Waghmare, who uses the Western Express Highway daily.
Pedestrians, senior citizens, and schoolchildren are also suffering. “The rules exist only on paper. Every morning, we see trucks full of debris moving without any covering. The dust settles inside homes and shops, making it difficult to even keep windows open, let alone having to walk through such dust,” said Ashutosh Rewale of Malad.
Open load of debris spotted on service road near Kherwadi Junction, Bandra East. PIC/SATEJ SHINDE
Doctors warn that this negligence carries long-term health risks. “Not just covering, these truck drivers should also sprinkle water once the trucks are loaded and then cover them. Because just covering isn`t sufficient unless covered with a tarpaulin tightly. While elevated pollution levels have already worsened the situation for people, such dust particles flying in the air, if stuck in the respiratory tract of an individual, can lead to severe infections and nasal tract damage,” said Dr Abhijit Ahuja, pulmonologist, Saifee Hospital.
Officials insist that action is being taken. “We have taken actions against many such vehicles. While some are fined with R5000, some are fined with higher amounts, such as Rs 10,000 and above. We agree that 100 per cent change hasn`t come in, but definitely the number of such vehicles has reduced from the streets,” said Transport Commissioner Vivek Bhimanvar.
A truck carries soil for construction, in Santacruz. Pic/Ritika Gondhalekar
Citizen groups disagree. “Implementation has always been a problem. There is no use of simply writing down rules and coming up with guidelines if volunteers aren`t employed to keep stringent vigilance,” said activist Zoru Bathena. In Kannamwar Nagar, Vikhroli, residents say as many as 265 construction sites operate in the area. “Authorities take only temporary actions,” said Suresh Sarnobat, president of the local federation. Additional Municipal Commissioner Ashwini Joshi declined to comment, citing election work.
Rules related to construction vehicles
(These are six of the 28-point guidelines issued by the BMC which construction sites must follow)
>> All vehicles carrying construction materials shall be fully covered from the top and all sides so that material or debris does not become airborne during transportation, and the vehicle shall not be overloaded to avoid any spillage
>> All vehicles carrying materials shall have valid PUC certificates and must produce them when asked by competent authorities
>> Vehicles carrying construction material or C and D (construction and demolition) debris, if found violating these provisions, shall be seized and
impounded
>> The Transport Commissioner shall take action against vehicle overloading, uncovered vehicles, vehicles spilling materials on roads, and heavy-duty diesel vehicles more than eight years old, which are strictly prohibited within Mumbai limits
>> All builders and developers must engage only those vehicles that have vehicle tracking systems installed
>> Vehicle tyre washing facilities shall be provided at all exit points of construction sites. It must be ensured that daily cleaning of major roads is carried out for dust removal using vacuum sweeping, water sprinkling, brushing or brooming, and sweeping
Show cause notices to 482 construction sites
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) on Monday issued show cause notices to 482 construction sites for flouting its guidelines established to curb air pollution, especially during the winter season when the air is thicker than average and allows pollutants to stay in the atmosphere for longer. In addition, 264 construction sites in the city have been issued stop work notices.
On November 27, the figure stood at 53 stop work notices to construction sites. According to a senior officer from BMC’s environment department, in 2023, the civic body issued a 27-point guidelines list to curb air pollution. In 2024, this was topped up with one more guideline. Thirteen out of these guidelines shape rules to be followed by construction sites to curb dust in their vicinity. Construction dust comprises PM10 and PM2.5 as primary pollutants.
