Mumbai AQI Crisis: BMC Halts Bullet Train and Metro 2B Works in BKC - Here's Why

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has ordered an immediate halt to construction work at major infrastructure projects in the Bandra Kurla Complex due to violations of air pollution control rules. The action affects the Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train project and Metro Line 2B worksites.

The civic body issued stop-work notices after inspections found that contractors failed to follow mandatory pollution mitigation measures from BMC’s 28-point action plan meant to control dust at construction sites. The notice said the instructions from the show cause notice were not followed. Because of this, the contractor will stop work immediately until all guidelines are followed.

The BMC also noted that both the bullet train site and Metro Line 2B project areas in BKC had received show cause notices in November 2023 for similar air pollution violations. As per reports, another inspection will be conducted in the coming days to decide whether the sites need to be sealed.

Action was taken against the J Kumar RMC plant located near the H/East ward office in BKC for work on Metro Line 2B. The metro corridor passes through an area of more than 2.5 km adjacent to the bullet train site.

The RMC plant received a show cause notice on December 11 after inspection teams found pollution-related violations. When a follow-up check showed no corrective action, the BMC issued a stop-work notice on December 17. The notice warned that the site would be sealed if work continued.

At BKC’s G block, the bullet train project site has been directed to stop all ongoing work. The project is being executed by Megha Engineering Infrastructure Limited and Hindustan Construction Company, which are working together in a joint venture. Both firms were appointed by the National High Speed Rail Corporation Limited.

According to BMC data, the civic body issued at least 3,497 stop-work notices across Mumbai between January and November this year. Of these, 2,585 were issued to private developers, 759 to projects under other public development authorities, and around 153 to municipal works. During the same period, the BMC’s flying squads issued 8,693 show cause notices citywide.