By B N KUMAR
Civic body plans 55 new air quality stations, one every two sq km
NAVI MUMBAI: The Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation has stepped up enforcement to curb air pollution across the city, with Municipal Commissioner Dr Kailas Shinde directing strict implementation of prescribed pollution-control measures, particularly at construction sites.
Dr Shinde convened a special meeting with developers and architects to review compliance with the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) issued by the civic body for construction-related pollution control. Over 70 participants, including developers and architects from across Navi Mumbai, attended the meeting.
Officials said the Commissioner instructed civic staff to intensify field-level inspections and take preventive and punitive action wherever violations are found. He underlined that maintaining good air quality in the city requires strict adherence to pollution-control norms at all construction and redevelopment sites.
Construction activity is underway at several locations within the municipal limits, contributing to air pollution, noise pollution and blasting-related impacts. The issue is currently under judicial scrutiny following a suo motu public interest litigation (PIL No. 3 of 2023) taken up by the Bombay High Court. In an order dated December 11, 2023, the court directed authorities to take effective steps to reduce air pollution.
In compliance, the municipal corporation issued a circular on August 1, 2024, prescribing SOPs for controlling air and noise pollution at construction sites and outlining penal action for non-compliance. Further directions were issued by the High Court on November 28, 2025, for the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, along with the constitution of a monitoring committee.
Following inspections conducted on December 13, 2025—covering select construction projects, an RMC plant at Turbhe and municipal road works—the committee observed that effective implementation of SOPs was required at all construction sites.
At the meeting, Dr Shinde outlined measures proposed by the civic body before the High Court. These include mandatory installation of CCTV cameras and air quality display boards at construction sites, integration of air quality sensors with a centralised real-time dashboard, and automated alerts when AQI levels exceed prescribed limits. Daily air quality data will be accessible to the municipal corporation and the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board.
The corporation will also install 55 additional Air Quality Monitoring Stations across Navi Mumbai, at a density of one per two square kilometres. Weekly compliance reporting through a standardised digital checklist will be mandatory for all departments.
Construction approvals will incorporate strict worker health and safety SOPs, with violations attracting stoppage of work or cancellation of permissions. Additional measures include rigid barricading at excavation sites, daily debris removal, prioritised road washing over fogging, action against illegal dumping and garbage burning, removal of unauthorised parking under flyovers, and a special winter road-cleaning and dust-control drive.
The civic body has directed all developers to ensure strict compliance with the SOPs, while stating that genuine concerns raised by stakeholders will be examined to ensure effective implementation.
