Dust rule violations rise as BMC cracks down on 149 projects in Mumbai’s P North ward

Multiple construction sites in Malad, which falls under the P North ward, were served stop-work notices by the BMC for violating mandatory dust-control norms. Pics/By Special Arrangement

As construction activity surges across Mumbai and dust pollution increasingly clouds the city's air, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has intensified enforcement against projects violating mandatory dust-control norms. In P North Ward, the city's largest administrative ward, which covers the Malad locality, civic officials have issued 149 stop-work notices to construction projects found flouting pollution safeguards.

Data accessed by Vinod Gholap, president of the Fight for Right Foundation, under the Right to Information (RTI) Act, reveals the scale of violations across redevelopment sites, raising questions about how effectively construction-driven pollution is being regulated in a city witnessing one of its biggest redevelopment booms. Meanwhile, activists say enforcement remains uneven across agencies and warn that notices alone may not be enough to curb dust pollution.

Bigger question: Are notices enough?

Activist Sayyed Waseem said the larger challenge lies in ensuring accountability in a city witnessing thousands of redevelopment and infrastructure projects, including the ongoing large-scale concretisation of roads and footpaths. "Until responsibility is clearly fixed on contractors, departments and officials, and strict punitive action becomes mandatory, these violations will continue," he said.

Enforcement drive at a glance

Ward: P North (Malad)
Construction sites inspected: 224
Stop-work notices issued: 149
Projects that later complied: 44
>> Nearly 1 in 3 projects rectified violations after enforcement action.

According to BMC's rules, these measures are mandatory

>> MS sheet barricades around construction sites
>> Green safety nets on high-rise structures
>> Regular water sprinkling to suppress dust
>> Covered storage facility for debris and construction material
>> Wheel-washing facilities for trucks
>> BMC-approved AQI monitoring sensors
>> Enclosed areas for high-dust activities
>> Failure to comply results in immediate stop-work notices

Activists flag uneven enforcement

RTI activist Vinod Gholap said the effectiveness of the drive will depend on whether rules are enforced uniformly across all agencies. According to him, more than 40 projects complied and had notices revoked, but several projects under agencies such as MMRDA, SRA and MHADA allegedly continued work despite being served notices.

Enforcement gaps remain

>> Despite the crackdown, enforcement remains complex
>> While the BMC can issue notices, it does not have direct punitive authority over projects run by autonomous agencies such as SRA, MHADA, and MMRDA
>> In such cases, notices are forwarded to the respective authorities, which can slow action and create procedural delays in halting work
>> Environmental experts say this fragmented regulatory structure weakens accountability across Mumbai's fast-growing redevelopment sector

Who received notices from civic body

Project category Notices issued
Private projects 107
SRA 26
MMRDA 03
MHADA 05
BMC projects 01
Ready-mix concrete plants 07
Private redevelopment projects account for over three-fourths of violations