Mumbai air pollution: Environment Minister Pankaja Munde announces clean air action plan for MMR

Maharashtra Environment Minister Pankaja Munde on Friday announced a clean air action programme for the Mumbai Metropolitan Region MMR focusing on controlling road dust regulating the transportation and disposal of construction debris and curbing industrial and vehicular pollutionldquoIntegrated measures will be planned for the MMR through a clean air action programme Special efforts will be made to reduce road dust including the use of vacuum cleaning machines sprinkling water through sprinklers and making it mandatory to completely cover vehicles transporting construction debrisrdquo Munde said PTI reportedShe was speaking after chairing a meeting to review measures to tackle air pollution in Mumbai and its surrounding areasSenior officials from the Environment Department Maharashtra Pollution Control Board MPCB Transport Department and civic bodies including those in Mumbai and Panvel attended the meeting Commissioners of municipal corporations across the region participated virtuallyFocus on road dust controlMunde said road dust and dust resuspended by vehicular movement contribute significantly to Mumbai air pollution requiring a shift from conventional roadcleaning practicesldquoMerely sweeping dust to one side does not reduce pollutionrdquo she said PTI reportedThe minister directed civic bodies to increase the use of vacuum cleaning machines and explore the possibility of using treated wastewater for sprinkling roads She also asked municipal corporations to procure the necessary equipment and adopt technological solutions for road cleaning dust control and regular pollution monitoringAuthorities were also asked to explore measures to control dust in open grounds on school and college premisesStrict action against construction debris violationsOn construction debris management Munde directed traffic police to strictly enforce rules governing vehicles transporting construction materials Vehicles found violating the norms should not be allowed to proceed until they comply with the requirements rather than being let off after paying a fine she saidWith extensive construction and redevelopment underway across the MMR the minister stressed the need for a coordinated system for collecting transporting processing and recycling construction debrisShe said civic bodies should explore the joint use of available land for debris disposal and develop dedicated facilities to process the material for reuse in constructionThe government will attempt to prepare guidelines on the issue within the next 15 to 20 days Munde said Separate meetings will also be held with civic bodies in Panvel Kalyan and Mumbai among others to understand their challengesMPCB asked to ensure industrial complianceOn industrial pollution Munde directed the MPCB to ensure that industries comply with environmental norms in practice and not merely during inspections Strict action should be taken against units that repeatedly violate regulations despite inspections she said the news agency reportedHowever shutting down every industrial unit was not the objective The emphasis should instead be on ensuring that industries take the necessary corrective measures Munde saidShe also called for more inspections and followup visits to verify compliance particularly in industrial areas where outdated machinery and production processes contribute to pollutionEVs clean air funds and green measures discussedThe use of electric vehicles the availability of electric buses for public transport and the proper utilisation of funds sanctioned under the National Clean Air Programme also came up for discussionMunde called for technical studies on urban green measures including rooftop gardens environmentally friendly changes in building design and dustcontrol measures in open spaces These interventions she said could help mitigate the impact of expanding construction activity and cement roadsShe added that Mumbairsquos coastal location helped air circulation but authorities could not rely solely on natural conditions to reduce pollution All municipal corporations and relevant departments must jointly prepare and effectively implement an action plan addressing road dust construction debris vehicular emissions and industrial pollutionCivic bodies flag local pollution challengesDuring the meeting civic commissioners highlighted local challenges MiraBhayandar reported a shortage of sites for construction debris disposal and discussed the possibility of jointly using available land in Mumbai or Thane PTI reportedOfficials from Navi Mumbai flagged dustcontrol challenges arising from construction around the airport redevelopment in industrial areas and traffic on national highwaysThe KalyanDombivli civic body raised concerns over the unauthorised transportation of construction debris at night and the dumping of debris in mangrove areas It also sought police assistance to curb such activitiesThe meeting further discussed coordination with the Regional Transport Department and police to remove abandoned vehicles parked along roadsidesWith PTI inputs