Now, anti-pollution norms for all infrastructure projects in Mumbai

Metro work going on at Fort. Pic/Atul Kamble

With air pollution becoming a serious concern in the city and its nearby areas, the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has issued guidelines for construction sites of infrastructure projects it is executing, and for areas within its jurisdiction that have been notified under the Special Planning Authority (SPA).

The November 3 circular by MMRDA's Additional Metropolitan Commissioner Aashesh Sharma has been issued to the SPA-notified areas of Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC), Wadala Truck Terminal (WTT), Oshiwara District Centre (ODC), Chattrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport Notified Area (CSMIANA), Bharatratna Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Memorial (Indu Mill), Metro Depot, casting yards and allied users in Mumbai, and to Bhiwandi Surrounding Notified Area (BSNA), Kalyan Growth Centre (KGC) and Metro Depot, casting yards and allied users, and Ambernath Kulgaon Badlapur Surrounding Notified Areas in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR).

Relevant stakeholders in construction activities have also been asked to follow guidelines issued by the BMC and the state government' Environment & Climate Change Department. Similar to guidelines issued by other authorities in recent weeks, the MMRDA circular also mentions covering construction sites and construction materials, installing water sprinklers, anti-smog guns and air pollution monitors, washing the tyres of vehicles used at construction sites, cleaning major roads, and responsible disposing of C&D (Construction and Demolition) waste.

In addition to this, the MMRDA circular has appealed to local transport commissioners/competent authorities to act against overloaded, uncovered vehicles and vehicles spilling construction materials, and to prohibit old heavy-duty diesel vehicles as per extant rules applicable to MMR. The circular has also banned the burning of garbage, wood, and waste in areas under MMRDA's jurisdiction.

Nov 3
Day MMRDA issued circular