Mumbai authorities face scrutiny over worsening air pollution

The Bombay High Court has expressed significant concern regarding the deteriorating air quality in Mumbai, questioning the effectiveness of pollution control measures implemented by civic bodies. The court emphasized the need for greater accountability from agencies such as the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board in monitoring and regulating emissions.

Factors contributing to the poor air quality include dust from construction activities, vehicle and industrial emissions, and unfavorable climatic conditions. The court specifically noted issues such as inadequate preventive actions at construction sites and the illegal use of firecrackers on public roads.

In response to the declining air quality index, the BMC has begun enforcing stricter regulations. This includes issuing stop-work notices and penalties to construction and demolition sites found in violation of dust dispersal rules. For instance, a site in Andheri West was issued a stop-work notice and a ₹35,000 fine for infractions such as insufficient covering of materials and the lack of dust-extraction systems. These enforcement actions may lead to legal discussions regarding construction timeline extensions under force majeure provisions.