Sahar Village residents lodge complaint against MPCB, BMC over terrible air pollution in their area; demand action against ongoing violations
Ongoing construction activity near Sahar Airport police station in Mumbai’s K East ward, which locals say has worsened air quality in the area
Residents of Sahar Village have raised serious concerns over worsening air pollution near the Sahar Airport police station in Mumbai’s K East ward, alleging prolonged inaction by civic and pollution control authorities despite dangerously high air quality levels in the area. The residents have complained about the issues for over a month now, but no action has been taken so far.
In a formal complaint submitted to authorities, locals have flagged the unregulated storage of construction materials such as sand, limestone, and aggregates by contractors engaged in airport-related infrastructure projects. “These materials, reportedly meant for Ready-Mix Concrete [RMC] plants and allied construction activities, are being stored in the open close to the police station, resulting in continuous dust generation and dispersion,” said Kingston Lobo, a local resident.
Construction trucks parked near Sahar Airport police station, where residents allege severe dust pollution
According to air quality data recorded at the site on Friday, January 2, at 9 pm, the Air Quality Index (AQI) stood at 237, categorised as unhealthy. Particulate matter levels were also alarmingly high, with PM2.5 recorded at 101 and PM10 at 114, far exceeding permissible limits.
Residents say prolonged exposure to such pollution poses a serious threat to public health, affecting not only local families but also commuters and police personnel posted in the vicinity. Activist Godfrey Pimenta of WatchDog Foundation, which submitted the complaint on behalf of residents, said the pollution levels were a cause for grave concern.
The complaint squarely blames enforcement lapses by the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board and the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation. Despite statutory responsibilities under the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981, residents allege that neither authority has ensured basic dust mitigation measures such as covering stored materials, water sprinkling or enclosing construction sites.
“The authorities have also failed to issue stop-work notices or orders for the removal of materials, the complaint states. For the past few weeks, we are also facing difficulties in getting autorickshaws and cabs, as drivers refuse to enter the area due to the severe dust conditions,” said resident Vilas Palkaya. Repeated attempts to contact officials from the MPCB and the K East ward of the BMC for comment received no response till press time.
Air Quality Index reading near Sahar Airport police station on January 2, showing unhealthy pollution levels. Pics/By Special Arrangement
“While the massive scale of construction activity itself has been creating problems, the open storage of construction materials has now become another major source of dust pollution. At times, even wearing a mask is of no use. Coughing and breathlessness have become a part of our daily lives, yet no authority seems willing to take responsibility to improve the situation,” said Nicole Almeida, a resident.
“We are not against development. But there is a reason certain rules are in place, and following them is mandatory. However, no one seems to bother, neither those who are required to follow the rules nor those responsible for enforcing them through strict vigilance. In the end, it is the residents of the area who suffer,” said another resident, Shilpa Palave.
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