Mumbai: Santacruz and Juhu residents struggle to breathe as multiple construction sites raise dust levels

A video grab of dust rising after a building demolition in Andheri West. PIC/BY SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

The residents of Juhu and Santacruz are raising concerns over the white dust cover on roads and trees in the area due to private building demolitions and construction work around their vicinity, worsening the city's already degraded air quality. Residents say that they have not seen any AQI (Air Quality Index) meters outside of the construction zone to monitor the dust raised due to the work. The residents say they understand development is necessary, but should be done responsibly.

Issues near Juhu

Residents of the Four Bungalows area in Andheri West are expressing anger over the dust pollution caused by a recent building demolition. They allege that the developer failed to follow mandatory dust-control protocols and have urged the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to take strict action against those responsible.

Debris left along the side of a road in Santacruz. PIC/ASHISH RAJE

On Wednesday, a resident of Four Bungalows filmed a video of a building currently undergoing redevelopment. As part of the redevelopment process, the old structure has to be demolished in accordance with the protocols laid down by the authorities, but dust control norms were flouted. Residents allege that the contractor or developer responsible for the demolition failed to follow dust and air pollution control guidelines. As a result, excessive dust was generated, causing inconvenience and raising health concerns for those living nearby.

The building in question is New Vikas Society on Achyutrao Patwardhan Marg, which connects the Four Bungalows signal to Lokhandwala Complex. A resident, who did not wish to be identified, said the society is currently undergoing redevelopment and that Wednesday's demolition work generated massive dust, causing significant pollution in the area.

Local resident Parag Motani said, "On Wednesday, the demolition of a building opposite Gyan Kendra School was carried out, and it's clear that no dust control protocols were followed, otherwise such severe pollution wouldn't have occurred. Mumbai's AQI is already in terrible shape, yet developers continue demolishing structures without basic safety and pollution control measures. The city is choking, violations go unchecked, and residents are being forced to breathe toxic air. This needs urgent attention and strict action from the BMC."

Locals also alleged that apart from the plot being enclosed with metal tin sheets, no other pollution-control measures, such as water sprinklers or AQI monitoring systems, appeared to be in place. Four Bungalows resident Sayali Kulkarni said, "Such demolitions raise a critical alarm. Our AQI is deteriorating fast. We urge the BMC and MPCB (Maharashtra Pollution Control Board) to act immediately and take strict, sustained measures before the situation worsens and damages public health irreparably. Developers should be fined for being callous, especially when there is a school right opposite, which endangers children's health, and also a prominent hospital."

Santacruz dust issue

The residents around the Main Avenue Road in Santacruz have been simultaneously dealing with dust from more than five constructions happening along a single road, and the concreting of roads connected to Main Avenue Road being done by the BMC. The locals complain of having to constantly deal with dust. "It gets very difficult to breathe while driving, so I avoid the roads as much as I can. I have tried wearing a mask, but while I wear it, I feel breathless. When I don't, I breathe in all the dust, making my health worse," said Gaurau Aba Sarpute.

Santacruz residents say dust has accumulated on trees in the area. PIC/ASHISH RAJE

While those who drive in cars are somewhat safe from the direct exposure of the dust, those who ride 2-wheelers, or autos, face the brunt of it. The road also has many offices in it, seeing high pedestrian traffic as well. A passerby, who was holding a napkin against his nose and mouth to avoid ingesting the dust, said, "It is a daily struggle we are facing." He added, "dust covers every single surface in the area, not sparing anything."

While some construction sites have watered the area right in front of their site to prevent dust from rising, not all have been following protocol. The same is the issue with the roads BMC is concreting. The civic body is working in parts and has left some dug-up spots open, resulting in dust rising as vehicles go by.

Construction activity near Main Avenue Road in Santacruz is causing major air quality problems. PIC/ASHISH RAJE

Trees in the whole lane are seen with a thick layer of dust on every leaf. "I saw a worker from one of the construction sites, watering the leaves of the trees around the site, but that is honestly of no help. I have asthma, and in the last few days, getting out of my house towards that area is taking a toll on my health. We all understand that redevelopment and road work are necessary, but it should be done reasonably, without hurting those who are around," said Shaunak Modi, a resident of the area.

Sudheer Shah, a watchman in one of the buildings on Linking Road, said, "I have been seeing the dust daily after the rains stopped. It is a terrible thing because we can't stop breathing, but breathing that in is harmful. All surfaces outside and inside people's houses here are covered in layers of dust due to the work being done."

Residents of the Four Bungalows area in Andheri West allege that only metal sheets are place around the site; sprinkling and other necessary precautions being ignored. PICS/BY SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

When mid-day contacted BMC's H West ward to enquire if any initiative would be undertaken to curb the issue in Santacruz, an official replied saying, "Three notices have been issued for violations of air pollution mitigation guidelines at Main Avenue Road in Santacruz by the H West ward's Building & Factories Department."

BMC guidelines for construction

>> High barricades around site; green cloth or tarpaulin coverings
>> Water sprinklers/fogging to suppress dust
>> Sensor-based AQI sensors
>> Debris to be sprinkled with water