Stone dust on Girgaon Metro road triggers health complaints among residents

Stone dust spread across a newly concreted stretch of road near Girgaon Metro Station, which residents say turns airborne with passing vehicles and causes breathing discomfort. Pics/Sayyed Sameer Abedi

What was meant to signal smoother roads and faster mobility around Girgaon Metro Station has instead kicked up a growing health concern. Residents, shopkeepers and daily commuters say stone dust spread across newly concreted roads on JSS Road is turning the busy stretch into a cloud of fine particles every time vehicles pass, triggering coughing, eye irritation and breathing trouble in the area.

Locals say the dust problem has persisted for months and worsens during peak traffic hours, with buses and cars sending visible plumes of powdery stone dust into the air. Doctors in the neighbourhood say the complaints they are seeing reflect what residents are experiencing on the street.

What residents say they are facing

Common symptoms reported
>> Eye irritation
>> Persistent coughing
>> Throat discomfort
>> Heavy breathing
>> Sneezing
"With every passing vehicle, the stone dust rises into the air," said Mansukh Kameni, a shopkeeper on JSS Road.
"We have to keep our shutters partly down so the dust does not settle on our products."

What doctors in the area are seeing

Local physician Dr Anil Mane says respiratory complaints in the neighbourhood have increased over the past 1.5 years. "Each and everyone must wear a mask these days, especially in areas where massive construction work is happening," Dr Mane said.

When the dust problem worsens

>> Peak hours:
>> Afternoon and evening traffic
>> Residents say loose cement and stone particles become airborne repeatedly, worsening exposure for pedestrians and shopkeepers.

Questions residents are asking

>> Is spreading stone dust after concreting technically required?
>> Why are dust control measures like water sprinkling not used?
>> Why are there no barricades or protection for pedestrians?
"It becomes impossible to walk here during peak hours," said Jitendra Ghadge, a resident and citizen activist.
"The dust flies straight into your face every time a bus passes."

What experts say

>> Construction industry professionals say the practice itself is questionable.
>> Construction contractor Abhishek Sapre said:
"It is an unnecessary practice and has no real purpose.
Stone dust particles are extremely fine and can definitely cause illness."

Medical observations from local clinic

Indicator Observation
Time period noted 1.5 years
Common complaints Congestion, coughing, throat infection
Patients advised tests Chest X-ray or sputum test
Among those tested About 90% showed mild bronchitis or chest infections, according to the doctor