A stronger push against air-pollution violations in Mumbai’s construction sector has been undertaken by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) as winter conditions draw near. Heightened vigilance has been adopted by civic authorities in response to worsening particulate levels typically experienced during the season. As part of this effort, a show-cause notice was issued to the under-construction Metro Line 7A project, which is being developed as an extension of Line 7 to provide connectivity between Andheri East and the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport. The notice was prompted by several deviations from the mandated air-quality mitigation guidelines.
It was observed by the BMC that essential safeguards had not been implemented at the site. The required 25-foot barricading had not been erected, tyre-washing facilities for heavy vehicles were missing, and the approach road had been left dusty and strewn with debris. In addition, the installation of air-quality sensors and digital display boards—now considered standard pollution-control measures—had not been carried out. Because of these omissions, the notice was directed to both the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) and its contractor.
Clarifications from civic officials indicated that repeated reminders had already been issued to various construction sites across the city. A 28-point mitigation framework had been prescribed earlier, based on directions from the Bombay High Court, and sites were expected to comply. It was noted that although developers had requested additional time during a meeting held in late October, the original deadline had been set months earlier, and only a limited extension could be allowed. It was also indicated that a stop-work order would be considered if compliance was not achieved within one to two weeks.
Industry concerns have also been highlighted. Difficulties in procuring pollution sensors were pointed out by developer groups, as vendors approved by the BMC reportedly require nearly four weeks to supply and install the equipment. These delays have been attributed to import-based supply chains and the assembly processes involved. Approximately 500 sensors have already been deployed across Mumbai, though only half have been integrated with the central monitoring system. Since the city has more than a thousand active construction sites, expansion of the vendor base has been requested.
Simultaneously, grievances have been expressed by residents affected by another MMRDA project—the demolition of the Elphinstone Bridge in Parel and Prabhadevi. Severe dust accumulation has been reported in the area, compelling shop owners and households to keep doors and windows closed. Complaints have also been raised about inadequate barricading, infrequent road-watering, and the unsafe condition of access routes that have become difficult for pedestrians, especially senior citizens.