MUMBAI: A construction firm in Andheri East is under scrutiny for allegedly violating air pollution guidelines by dumping a 40-foot-high mound of earth and sand rubble in an open area. The Watchdog Foundation, an NGO, has lodged a complaint with the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board.
The construction company, engaged in a project in the area, is accused of flouting BMC’s air pollution mitigation guidelines issued on October 25. The BMC has been actively cracking down on violators, issuing notices and taking strict actions against construction sites failing to comply.
The illegal dumping site, situated at the intersection of Sahar Elevation Road and Sahar Pipeline Road, was brought to light by the Watchdog Foundation. Godfrey Pimenta, a trustee of the foundation, expressed concern about the rising mounds of earth, now visible above the 12-foot barricades. He stated, “The dump is near Chakala and Bamanwada, and when the wind carries the sand and earth particles, it increases the air pollution around.”
A civic official mentioned that the land on which the construction site is located belongs to the Airport Authority of India, and they will investigate the complaint.
The BMC’s air pollution norms specify that construction and demolition waste should be stored in a properly demarcated, barricaded, and covered area. Water sprinkling is mandated on construction sites to prevent the generation of airborne particulate matter. Vehicles transporting waste should be fully covered, and water fogging is required during loading and unloading. Dumping construction material in open areas is strictly prohibited.
