MUMBAI: The BMC has informed the Bombay High Court that sensor-based air quality monitors have yet to be installed at 662 of the 1,954 ongoing construction sites within its jurisdiction.
In response to a December 24 order from the court to provide status reports showing tangible improvements in Mumbai’s pollution levels, the BMC submitted a reply affidavit. According to Avinash Kate, chief engineer (environment and climate change), the BMC has activated its action plan for the next 15 days.
The affidavit also mentioned that showcause and stop-work notices were issued at construction sites failing to comply with a 28-point guideline aimed at reducing air pollution, as directed by the court. Between December 29, 2025, and January 13, 2025, a total of 409 showcause and 284 stop-work notices were issued, primarily for issues like uncovered construction materials, inadequate mitigation measures, and lack of operational air quality monitors.
The affidavit elaborated that remaining sites without air quality monitors, either pending installation or integration with the central server, are being closely monitored. Directions have been issued to ensure resolution of power supply and connectivity issues within a set timeframe. Sites failing to install monitors before January 15 are being issued stop-work notices. The BMC has organized 94 ward-level squads across Mumbai to enforce compliance.
The BMC provided a day-wise Air Quality Index (AQI) for Mumbai from December 29 to January 15, indicating that the AQI during this period remained within the moderate range of 101-140. It also noted a consistent seasonal pattern in AQI from 2022 to 2025, with higher pollution levels observed during winter and lower levels during monsoon.
On Tuesday, senior advocate S U Kamdar presented the BMC’s affidavit to Chief Justice Shree Chandrashekhar and Justice Suman Shyam. The Chief Justice inquired about the current air quality, to which Kamdar responded that it was moderate. The judges scheduled further hearings for Friday.
