In a decisive move to combat the city's deteriorating air quality, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has initiated strict action against major infrastructure projects found violating dust control regulations. The civic body has begun dispatching formal notices to high-profile developments, including the prestigious bullet train initiative, for failing to adhere to mandated pollution mitigation measures.
Notices Served to High-Profile Projects
On Monday, December 1, 2025, the BMC issued a notice to the National High Speed Rail Corporation Limited (NHSRCL), the agency executing the Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train project at the Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC) terminal station. This action followed an inspection conducted the previous Friday, where civic officials observed significant dust displacement due to ongoing excavation work.
The contractors for the BKC station, Megha Engineering Infrastructure Limited (MEIL) and Hindustan Construction Company (HCC) in a joint venture, have been given a three-day deadline to comply with all dust mitigation rules outlined in the Mumbai Air Pollution Mitigation Action Plan (MAPMP). Simultaneously, the BMC has also directed its own coastal road project department to strictly follow dust control norms, particularly for an open land patch beside the high-speed corridor near residential buildings.
Widespread Non-Compliance on Sensor Installation
Data reveals a significant gap in compliance with a key BMC directive. The civic body had earlier mandated all construction sites to install air quality index (AQI) monitoring sensors and display readings on LED boards at entrances. However, only 778 out of approximately 2,000 sites across Mumbai have installed these sensors, amounting to a mere 38% compliance rate.
Of the installed devices, the situation is further concerning: only 309 sensors are currently active, while 97 are inactive. To enforce this rule, the BMC has sent 79 'stop work' notices to non-compliant construction sites and has deployed 450 Junior Officers (JOs) to conduct ward-level inspections and maintain records of violations.
Official Responses and Pollution Context
Responding to the notice, NHSRCL sources stated that over 85% of excavation work is complete and no major dust-generating activity is ongoing. They claimed contractors are sprinkling water throughout the day and have installed AQI sensors on-site for real-time monitoring, suggesting the notice was part of a standard procedure.
The crackdown is rooted in the BMC's own Mumbai Air Pollution Action Plan (MAPAP), which identifies dust from construction sites as a primary factor behind the city's poor air quality. On Monday, the city's overall AQI, as per the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), was 113 ('moderate'). Last week, the BMC imposed Stage-4 of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) in areas like Mazgaon, Deonar, and Malad after they consistently recorded 'poor' AQI levels.
This concerted effort marks the BMC's attempt to transition from planning to rigorous enforcement in its battle against construction-induced air pollution, setting a precedent for how megaprojects must operate in an increasingly environmentally conscious Mumbai.
