MBMC issues stop work orders to five developers for ignoring anti-air pollution guidelines at construction sites | File Photo
Mira-Bhayandar: The Mira Bhayandar Municipal Corporation (MBMC) has finally started cracking the whip on builders and developers who have failed to adhere to the anti-air pollution guidelines at their on-going construction sites.
Officials from MBMC’s town planning (TP) wing issued stop work orders to five construction sites in revenue villages- Ghodbunder, Navghar, Goddev, and Bhayandar, after their developers brazenly ignored the show cause notices and continued to violate the anti-air pollution guidelines.
The violators include-Ajay Bahadur Yadav, Hemendra Boasmiya (Rashmi Properties), Umraosingh Ostwal (Ostwal Builders), PNK Developers and Span Creators. “
We have adopted a zero-tolerance policy against air-pollution. Apart from other preventive measures, we have deployed squads comprising engineers from the town planning department to regularly monitor construction activities. However, despite being served with notices, five developers continued breaching rules, following which work was stalled at their construction sites in adherence to the due process of law. The action will continue.” said a senior officer attached to the TP wing.
The guidelines issued by MBMC include measures such as erecting high metal sheets around construction projects and ready-mix plants (RMC), enclosing buildings with green net or tarpaulin, and continuous use of water sprinkler systems to minimize their impact on air quality.
This is in addition to directing construction sites to ensure that construction materials are ferried in covered vehicles (having valid pollution under control certificates), mandatory installation of sensor-based air quality devices, and closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras to monitor dust pollution and track the movement of vehicles, which should be equipped with GPS trackers and an enclosed area for carrying out grinding, cutting, drilling, sawing, and trimming work supported by a proper water fogging system, and provision of vehicle tire-washing facilities at all exit points. However, the developers had conveniently chosen to ignore most of the conditions, officials said.
