In response to the worsening air quality in Mumbai, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has announced the enforcement of GRAP-IV measures, which will result in a halt to construction activities in areas where the Air Quality Index (AQI) exceeds 200. This decision, made on December 30, comes as Mumbai’s air quality continues to deteriorate.
The BMC has specifically suspended construction projects in Borivali East and Byculla, where the AQI has consistently crossed the 200 mark, indicating “poor” air quality. Bhushan Gagrani, the BMC’s civic body chief, confirmed that under GRAP-IV norms, construction work at all private and public sites will cease immediately in these affected areas without the need for formal stop-work notices. The measure aims to curb pollution levels caused by ongoing construction in highly polluted zones.
The GRAP-IV measures, part of a broader winter air pollution control plan, include a complete ban on construction activities when air quality reaches the ‘severe’ category. These restrictions were also imposed earlier this month in Delhi, where the air quality was similarly compromised.
Additionally, the BMC has been actively inspecting construction sites, with 877 projects examined so far. As a result, around 286 stop-work notices have been issued. The civic body has also launched an initiative allowing residents to report air quality concerns via the “Mumbai Air App.” Since its launch, the app has received 412 complaints, of which 350 have been addressed.
The BMC is also tackling the issue of open burning of garbage, with 352 incidents reported between November 2023 and December 2024, leading to criminal charges. The civic body is committed to reducing pollution levels and improving air quality for Mumbai’s residents.
