Mumbai may consider weekly construction halt as air pollution worsens

Maharashtra cultural affairs minister and Mumbai suburban guardian minister Ashish Shelar has proposed suspending construction and demolition activities across Mumbai for one day each week as part of a wider effort to control air pollution.

In a letter to Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) commissioner Ashwini Bhide on October 26, Shelar called for immediate measures ahead of the winter months, when he warned that air pollution could worsen.

The proposal comes amid continuing concern over the city’s air quality. Mumbai’s Air Quality Index was around 170 on Monday, according to the report.

Shelar also called for a Mumbai-specific Graded Response Action Plan, under which predetermined measures would be implemented as air quality deteriorates.

His proposals included washing roads in pollution-prone areas and along major traffic corridors with treated wastewater, increasing water sprinkling, introducing mechanised night-time road cleaning and prioritising pothole repairs and the restoration of roads after excavation.

He also called for stricter action against waste burning and illegal construction-debris dumping, including a dedicated helpline and public reporting of enforcement measures.

Other suggestions included deploying anti-smog guns and mist sprayers at pollution hotspots, increasing vehicle emission checks and restricting heavy vehicles without valid pollution-under-control certificates from entering BMC limits.

The minister referred to the civic body’s existing pollution-control measures, including monitoring 3,166 construction sites through the Central Air Quality Dashboard and ward-level inspection teams. He also called for the installation of pending sensor-based air-quality monitoring systems at construction sites.

The weekly shutdown is a proposal to the BMC, not an announced citywide restriction. Its implementation would depend on the corporation’s response and any subsequent decision by the authorities.