Taking note of mid-day’s report on dust pollution caused by the demolition of an old building on First Cross Lane in Lokhandwala, Andheri West, the K West ward of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) issued a stop-work notice to the developer on October 20, a resident said.
Residents had alleged that the demolition was being carried out without adequate dust-control measures, allowing dust to spread into the surrounding neighbourhood and potentially affect people’s health. A resident, requesting anonymity, told mid-day that the civic body had also issued a show-cause notice and imposed a penalty on the developer.
“The BMC’s K-West ward seems to have taken note of the complaints made to the concerned authorities and the article published in mid-day. The developer carrying out the demolition work on First Cross Lane was served a show-cause notice and a penalty was also imposed in the morning and a stop-work notice in the evening,” the resident said.
“We are not against the work, but it must be carried out in accordance with dust-control guidelines, ensuring that it does not cause dust pollution. The city’s air quality is already poor, and any additional dust could pose a health risk, particularly to small children and senior citizens,” the resident added.
Residents seek dust-control measures
On October 18, Sunday mid-day reported that residents of Lokhandwala, Andheri West, had complained of dust pollution during the demolition of a private building undergoing redevelopment on First Cross Lane, near the area’s main market road.
The Lokhandwala Oshiwara Citizens’ Association (LOCA) had approached the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB), seeking urgent intervention and measures to prevent dust from spreading into the neighbourhood.
Action taken by civic body
Show-cause notice: Issued to the developer on October 20, according to a resident.
Penalty: Reportedly imposed on the developer that morning.
Stop-work notice: Issued by the BMC’s K-West ward that evening, the resident said.
