October 26, 2023: Owing to the deteriorating air quality in Mumbai, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has banned open burning in the city. This is as part of the BMC’s Guidelines for Air Pollution Mitigation that was issued on October 25, 2023. The guidelines issued by BMC clearly state that open burning is not allowed at garbage dumping grounds and possible sites of trash burning.
As part of the guidelines, builders in Mumbai must engage only the vehicles fitted with a tracking system for the transportation of construction materials. Also, all construction sites must have CCTV cameras installed outside construction sites so that they drive out only after the tyres are cleaned.
According to media reports, the BMC guidelines mentioned that at under-construction sites of buildings that are more than 70 m, walls of tin sheets of at least 35 m should be present. Also, the guidelines clearly has instructed all the under-construction sites and buildings that are under-demolition should be covered by tarpaulin sheets, jute sheets or green cloth from all sides.
The BMC has pointed out that water should be continuously sprayed while demolishing so that the dust settles and doesn’t pollute the air. Also, water fogging should be done while loading and unloading construction materials on the site. Media reports suggest that the BMC has granted 15 days for installing sprinklers and 30 days for installing fog guns at construction sites.
The guidelines directed all Assistant Commissioners in charge of wards to deploy squads for air pollution mitigation enforcement comprising two (Ward) engineers, one policeman, one marshall and one vehicle. Worksites will be visited to check on whether the guidelines have been implemented. Any violation will result in strict actions that will include stop-work notice and sealing of the construction site immediately.
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