In a significant crackdown, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has ordered an immediate halt to construction activities for two of Mumbai's most prominent infrastructure projects – the Bullet Train and Metro Line 2B – at their Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC) sites. The action comes after repeated failures by the contractors to comply with the civic body's pollution mitigation guidelines.
Notices Served for Non-Compliance
The BMC's inspection squad found that the mega projects had consistently failed to adhere to its 28-point action plan designed to control dust and other polluting factors at construction sites. Following initial observations of lapses, the civic body had issued show-cause notices. The bullet train project site received its notice on December 1, while the J Kumar RMC plant, linked to the Metro 2B work, was served on December 11.
However, subsequent inspections revealed that the sites had not implemented adequate corrective measures. This prompted the BMC to escalate its response by issuing formal stop-work orders.
Projects and Contractors Directed to Cease Work
The BMC has named specific contractors in its directives. For the bullet train project, the notice targets Megha Engineering Infrastructure Limited (MEIL) and Hindustan Construction Company (HCC), who are executing the work in a joint venture for the National High Speed Rail Corporation Limited (NHSRCL). The notice states that despite the earlier show-cause notice, the required compliance was not achieved.
"In view of this, you are hereby directed to stop the ongoing work immediately till the faithful compliance of all guidelines at site," the BMC order stated.
Similarly, for the Metro Line 2B project, a stop-work notice was issued on December 17 to the J Kumar RMC plant, operated by J Kumar Infraprojects. This contractor is appointed by the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) for work on a 2.5 km stretch in BKC. The BMC warned that failure to cease activity could lead to the site being sealed.
A Pattern of Violations and Broader Crackdown
This is not the first time these specific sites have been flagged. Both the bullet train and Metro 2B project locations in BKC had received show-cause notices for similar air pollution norm violations back in November 2023.
The action against these high-profile projects is part of a wider enforcement drive by the BMC. According to civic data, between January and November this year, the corporation has issued a staggering 3,497 stop-work notices across Mumbai's construction sites. This includes 153 notices for municipal works, 759 for projects by other government development authorities, and 2,585 notices served to private developers. Additionally, BMC flying squads issued 8,693 show-cause notices in the same period.
A senior BMC ward official confirmed that the sites have not been sealed yet but indicated that further inspections will determine the next course of action. When contacted, spokespersons for NHSRCL declined to comment, and emails to J Kumar Infraprojects went unanswered.
The BMC's firm stance underscores the growing pressure on infrastructure developers in Mumbai to prioritize environmental safeguards alongside construction progress, especially during periods of heightened concern over the city's air quality.
