The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has taken stringent action against the upcoming Bombay High Court building complex in Bandra, ordering an immediate halt to construction activities. This decisive move comes after civic officials discovered severe breaches of mandatory air pollution control measures at the demolition site.
Zero Compliance Found During Inspection
On Monday, the BMC's H-East ward office formally issued a stop-work notice to the contractor responsible for demolishing old government office buildings on the plot. The action followed a detailed inspection conducted by senior BMC officials on Saturday, which revealed what they termed as "zero compliance" with established dust mitigation norms.
The inspection team reported a complete absence of crucial pollution control mechanisms. Fogging machines, water sprinklers, and other dust-suppression systems were not deployed during the demolition work, leading to unchecked particulate matter emissions. Ward-level officers were subsequently instructed to document the violations with photographic evidence, which formed the basis for the Monday notice.
BMC Official Calls Violations Unacceptable
A senior BMC official expressed strong disapproval of the situation. "It is unacceptable that a project of this importance is being carried out without any air pollution control measures in place," the official stated. "During our visit, we found no compliance whatsoever. Work will be allowed to resume only after all mandated mitigation measures are fully implemented."
The official's statement underscores the civic body's hardened stance on construction-related pollution, especially amidst growing public and judicial concern over Mumbai's deteriorating air quality.
Bullet Train Project Also Under Scrutiny
In a related development, the BMC is also reviewing the status of the Bullet Train construction site at Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC). Work there was similarly suspended last week due to air quality concerns. The civic body has now received a compliance report from the contractor detailing the corrective measures taken.
This report is currently under scrutiny, and BMC officials have clarified that permission to restart work at BKC will be granted only if the implemented measures are found to be satisfactory. The parallel actions against two major infrastructure projects highlight a city-wide crackdown.
Heightened Focus on Mumbai's Air Quality
The suspension of work at both the High Court complex and the Bullet Train site occurs against a backdrop of heightened anxiety over pollution in Mumbai. The Bombay High Court itself had recently reprimanded the BMC for not taking adequate steps to curb air pollution in the metropolitan region.
The current enforcement drive appears to be a direct response to that judicial pressure. It signals a shift towards stricter on-ground monitoring and a lower tolerance for violations by all stakeholders, including government-backed projects.
As of now, construction remains suspended at the two key sites. The contractors must now demonstrate full adherence to dust control protocols, including continuous fogging, proper barricading, and covering of construction material, before any further work can be approved. The episode serves as a stark reminder to all developers in Mumbai about the non-negotiable nature of environmental safeguards.
