22 October,2026 06:53 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Construction sites must use water sprinklers or fogging systems, BMC said. File Pic
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has outlined a series of measures to curb air pollution in Mumbai, including a 28-point set of guidelines for construction and demolition sites, inspections by ward-level squads and action against violations.
According to a BMC press release, Mumbai recorded 231 days in the âGood' and âSatisfactory' Air Quality Index (AQI) categories up to October 22, 2026, compared with 218 days in 2025, 216 in 2024 and 185 in 2023.
It also stated that Mumbai's PM10 concentration declined by approximately 48 per cent between 2017-18 and 2025-26, citing data from the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change's PRANA portal.
Under the 28-point guidelines, construction sites must be enclosed with green cloth, jute sheets or tarpaulin to limit the spread of dust. Structures being demolished must be covered from top to bottom, with continuous water spraying during demolition.
The guidelines prescribe metal-sheet barricades of at least 35 feet for construction projects taller than 70 metres and construction layouts spread over more than one acre. Sites covering less than one acre must have barricades at least 25 feet high.
Construction sites must use water sprinklers or fogging systems during activities such as loading and unloading materials. Water must also be sprinkled on debris, soil and other materials that could generate airborne particulate matter.
Grinding, cutting, drilling, sawing and trimming must be carried out in enclosed areas, with continuous water sprinkling or fogging to prevent dust from escaping.
The BMC guidelines require construction sites to install sensor-based air pollution monitors and take immediate action when pollution levels exceed the prescribed limits. Monitoring data must be made available to civic officials for inspection when required.
The BMC's said that 3,166 construction sites have installed sensor-based air quality monitors and connected them to a central dashboard, through which the civic body monitors readings.
The guidelines also require construction sites to install CCTV cameras along their perimeters to check whether vehicles leave after their tyres have been cleaned and whether they are overloaded.
Vehicles transporting construction materials and debris must be fully covered from the top and all sides and must not be overloaded. They must also have valid pollution-under-control certificates.
The BMC said 76 ward-level mitigation squads conduct random and surprise inspections, with each squad carrying out at least two construction-site inspections daily and following up on compliance at pollution hotspots.
The guidelines provide for enforcement squads comprising two ward engineers, one policeman, one marshal and a vehicle. Each squad is to be headed by a senior ward officer.
"If a site is found violating the prescribed measures, action may include show-cause notices, stop-work notices or sealing of the premises. The BMC said enforcement action is supported by site-specific inspection reports, photographs and videographs," the press release said.
The guidelines also direct ward officials to deploy special squads to prevent illegal dumping of construction and demolition waste, particularly at night.
It stated that the BMC requires construction and demolition waste generated at sites to be transported to designated unloading locations in accordance with its waste management plan. Vehicles must be thoroughly washed and cleaned after unloading.
The movement and authorised disposal of construction and demolition waste are also tracked through the Mumbai Debris Control and Tracking System (MDCTS), according to the press note.
The Mumbai civic body said it undertakes deep cleaning of roads to remove accumulated dust, along with routine sweeping using 29 multipurpose vehicles. Developers and contractors are required to clean adjoining roads according to the size of their construction sites.
The guidelines also require tyre-washing facilities at construction-site exits.
The BMC is coordinating with the Traffic Police to check the cleanliness of ready-mix concrete vehicles and take action against visibly polluting vehicles, it said.
The BMC guidelines also impose a complete ban on open burning within its jurisdiction, particularly at garbage dumping grounds and other locations where waste may be burnt.
According to the civic body, developers and contractors must arrange food for workers living at construction sites to avoid the use of firewood and similar fuels. Burning such fuels by security guards and labourers, especially at night, is prohibited at construction sites. Developers and contractors must provide electric heaters for security guards and labourers.
The press note states that bakeries contribute approximately 3.5 per cent of Mumbai's particulate matter emissions. Of the city's 593 bakeries, 209 were already using cleaner fuel, while another 175 had converted. A further 69 were undergoing conversion, 87 remained non-compliant and eight had closed.
New bakery licences and permissions require the use of green fuel, with compliance to be verified before a licence is granted, the BMC said.
The civic body was also in the process of installing air pollution control devices at 10 crematoria. Its winter air pollution mitigation and enforcement action plan for 2026 covers pollution hotspots, open burning, construction-site compliance, road dust and vehicle checks, it said.
Ahead of Diwali, the BMC also reiterated that firecrackers are not permitted on public streets, roads and other public places, including lanes, footpaths and silence zones.
