The MLA said that a review conducted after the November 27 AQI spike revealed that dust and unattended construction debris from Metro Line-4 works had significantly deteriorated air quality
The MLA added that more than half the inspected locations lacked proper barricading. PIC VIA RAJENDRA B AKLEKAR
Three days after Mulund’s Air Quality Index (AQI) touched a ‘poor’ level of 286, local BJP MLA Mihir Kotecha has alleged that the ongoing construction of Metro Line-4 is the biggest contributor to the spike, with large sections of LBS Road turning into a dumping yard.
Kotecha said that a review conducted after the November 27 AQI spike revealed that dust and unattended construction debris from Metro Line-4 works had significantly deteriorated air quality. “For the last 4–5 months, piles of scrap, cement-concrete blocks, soil, sand and debris have been lying across LBS Road without clearance,” he said.
On Saturday, Kotecha, accompanied by MMRDA engineers and T-ward officials, inspected a 2-km stretch of LBS Road where Metro Line-4 construction is underway. “We identified nearly 100 locations with violations, damaged footpaths, mounds of construction waste, discarded metal, rubble and even light poles dumped along the road. There is complete negligence by the contractor,” he said.
The MLA added that more than half the inspected locations lacked proper barricading. “Officials informed me that once the contractor digs up a footpath, its restoration is the contractor’s responsibility. Proper barricading is mandatory and clearly not being followed,” he said.
Kotecha also questioned the utilisation of a Rs 500-crore contract awarded to DB Enterprise for the project. “Despite such a large contract, there is no visible expenditure on housekeeping, debris removal or reinstatement of footpaths. They haven’t even spent Rs 5 crore so far,” he alleged.
The MLA said cement dust from the ongoing works has started damaging the roadside plantation along the divider as well.
Kotecha said MMRDA Commissioner Sanjay Mukherjee has assured him that the entire stretch will be cleaned and restored within eight days and that action will be taken against the contractor.
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