27 November,2025 08:21 PM IST | Mumbai | Eshanpriya MS
Mumbai`s AQI has been recently raising health concerns across the city. Representational Pic/File
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has issued âstop work' notices to 53 construction sites across the city for allegedly violating air-pollution control guidelines and contributing to rising pollution levels, officials said on Thursday.
The action follows surprise inspections conducted in several wards after air quality worsened in November, they said.
Additional Municipal Commissioner (City) Dr Ashwini Joshi warned that strict action will be taken if sensor-based Air Quality Index (AQI) monitoring systems at construction sites are found switched off. She stressed that all pollution-control systems must operate continuously, and no lapse will be tolerated.
The inspections were carried out under the guidance of Municipal Commissioner and Administrator Bhushan Gagrani, with oversight from Deputy Municipal Commissioner (Environment & Climate Change) Avinash Kate.
Measures currently being implemented include the use of clean fuel in bakeries and crematoriums, introduction of more electric buses, scientific processing of construction debris, and the use of misting machines to control roadside dust, an official statement said.
Mid-day Analysis: Peak pollution recorded in winter. Read more...
The BMC had issued a set of 28-point guidelines on October 15, 2024 to control dust and emissions at construction sites. These include metal barricading, green cloth covering, regular water-sprinkling, scientific storage and transport of debris, installation of air-quality sensors, and smoke-control systems.
To ensure compliance, flying squads have been deployed across all wards. Up to November 26, 2025, the teams issued notices to 53 sites:
- 17 sites in Siddharth Nagar (G South Ward)
- 5 sites in Mazgaon (E Ward)
- 31 sites in Malad West (P North Ward)
"During a review on November 27, Dr Joshi noted that 662 air-quality sensors have been installed at construction sites, while 251 more are in the process of being added. Of the 400 sensors linked to the central monitoring dashboard, 117 were found inactive. The 95 flying squads will act against any site operating with inactive sensors," the statement said.
It said that the bakeries also contribute to urban pollution. Of Mumbai's 593 bakeries, 209 were already using clean fuel and another 57 have switched over, and 75 bakeries have made the transition in the past six months. An additional 88 bakeries have applied for Mahanagar Gas connections.
The BMC said action against pollution-causing activities will continue. It appealed to all builders and contractors to strictly follow the prescribed guidelines and support the city's pollution-control efforts, officials said.
Mid-day Analysis: Most AQI spikes seen in winter
About 40 per cent of the worst AQI (Air Quality Index) days recorded in Mumbai in 2023 and 2024 occurred during the winter months of December, January and February, according to data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) analysed by mid-day.
In 2023, Mumbai recorded 145 days in the âmoderate' AQI category and 35 days in the âpoor' category, totalling 180 days of bad air. Of these, 45 days were in winter - 40.55 per cent of the total.
Similarly, in 2024, the city again saw 145 âmoderate' days and 2 âpoor' days, with 70 of those days falling in winter - 39.45 per cent of the total.
