BMC Lifts Construction Ban In Borivli East & Byculla, But Strict Monitoring Remains

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has lifted the blanket ban on construction activities in Borivli East and Byculla, though individual monitoring of construction sites will continue, according to a Mid-day report.

The ban, which was enforced on December 30, came after the Air Quality Index (AQI) in these areas reached around 200 for several consecutive days. The decision to lift the ban was announced by civic chief Bhushan Gagrani on Sunday. While the blanket ban has been removed, the BMC will still monitor specific construction sites for compliance.

In recent days, the BMC issued notices to over 800 construction sites across Mumbai, urging them to follow dust control measures. A senior BMC official stated that all construction sites must follow a 28-point dust mitigation guideline. "If any site is found violating these guidelines, we will issue a notice. If violations continue, we can issue a stop-work notice or file an FIR under the MRTP Act," the official added, as per the Mid-day report.

The BMC is also monitoring areas such as Deonar, Shivaji Nagar, and Navy Nagar in Colaba, where the AQI is still around 200. Currently, there are about 2,100 private construction sites in the city.

According to the BMC guidelines, all construction sites must cover buildings with green cloth, jute, or tarpaulin on all sides, with a 25-foot-high sheet or metal fence around the site. Sites must also implement measures such as water spraying, misting plants, and proper storage and transportation of materials. Additionally, air quality monitoring sensors and vehicle wheel-washing facilities are required. Contractors must also create an Environmental Management Plan (EMP) to ensure further compliance.