BMC Issues Fresh SOPs For Construction Sites To Combat Air Pollution in Mumbai

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has unveiled a set of new standard operating procedures (SOPs) for developers and/or builders to address air pollution issue in Mumbai. 

The civic body formed a special committee, which produced a report outlining SOPs to reduce air pollution. 

With this, it aims to reduce air pollution which is caused due to construction sites in the city by imposing several measures; and hold developers and/or builders accountable for their contribution to the poor air quality index (AQI).

The SOPs are expected to go into effect soon. Once the norms come into effect, the BMC-appointed ward-level task force would be appointed to visit project sites to inspect compliance and issue a warning letter on the first instance of non-compliance.

One of the key measures in the SOPs is self-certification, which requires developers to take accountability for following all rules. The idea behind self-certification is to increase accountability and simplify the regulatory process. However, some experts have expressed concern that self-certification may not result in strict adherence to rules. To address this concern, the BMC has proposed a solid system to verify the accuracy of self-certification and penalise developers who break the rules.

The SOPs also mandate several measures to lessen dust pollution at construction sites. Builders are expected to install metal sheets on all sides of the building site and fog water during excavation and during loading/unloading construction materials. Soil strata should be sprinkled occasionally before excavation begins to reduce dust pollution. Developers can also use water sprinklers, cover cement, sand, and bricks using tarps or plastic sheets, and use green barriers to prevent dust from floating into the air. Many larger businesses invest in construction equipment with built-in dust collectors and ensure proper waste disposal.

Additionally, the civic body also emphasises the importance of checking other potential sources of air pollution, such as burning solid trash and waste. To monitor compliance, the BMC has designated a task force at the ward level that will visit project sites to check for compliance and issue warning letters on the first occasion of non-compliance.