Navi Mumbai civic body targets construction hotspots to curb pollution

A multi-department team of civic officials at a construction site in Navi Mumbai. Pic/By Special Arrangement

As winter pollution grips Navi Mumbai, the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) has launched an intensified crackdown, inspecting 86 construction sites in a week amid rising complaints of dust across Ghansoli, Airoli, Nerul, and Turbhe.

Residents have reported dust settling on balconies, morning coughs among children, and worsening AQI levels. In response, multi-department teams are conducting daily checks at construction sites, quarries, and ready-mix cement (RMC) plants.

"We are checking for barricades, sprinklers, green nets, and covered debris movement. Notices have been issued, and repeat violations will invite a week-long closure and penalties," said NMMC Chief Dr Kailas Shinde.

At Turbhe MIDC, deep-cleaning drives were carried out using mechanical brushes and flipper machines. Roads were then washed using treated wastewater from the sewage plant, an approach NMMC says prevents wastage of potable water while helping settle airborne particles.

Some residents say they have begun noticing more road brushing and fogging vehicles. "For months, we suffered silently as dust kept rising from construction around us. Only this week, I saw three cleaning machines pass by our lane," said Seema Patkar, resident, Koperkhairane.

Environmental groups have welcomed the action but say consistency is key. A Belapur activist said, "Inspecting 86 sites in a week is significant, but this must continue for months. If contractors strictly follow dust-control norms, AQI will automatically improve."

With early AQI readings showing slight improvement, NMMC officials claim the strategy of combining enforcement with large-scale cleaning is beginning to deliver results. However, residents and experts stress that sustained enforcement through winter will be the real test.