MUMBAI: A coalition of resident groups, including the Gulmohar Area Societies Welfare Group, the Santacruz West Action Team (SWAT), the Pali Hill Residents Association (PHRA), and the Keep Juhu Clean collective, met with Mayor Ritu Tawde on Wednesday to address issues surrounding pollution and noise from ongoing construction in the western suburbs.
Representing nearly 2,000 residents from Gulmohar, JVPD, Santacruz, and Bandra Pali Hill, the groups conveyed their concerns regarding the decline in air quality, excessive noise from construction sites, and inadequate enforcement of pollution control regulations.
SWAT’s Reetha Balsavar emphasized the need for the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to enforce stricter regulations on construction hours, limiting them to 8 AM to 8 PM.
She also called for the BMC to implement dust-control strategies, such as water spraying and proper debris covering.
Balsavar pointed out the need for enhanced monitoring of noise levels, stating, “Noise levels frequently surpass permissible limits, and stringent oversight is essential.”
The residents further requested the appointment of a dedicated nodal officer to handle community complaints and ensure long-term adherence to regulations by developers.
The meeting was facilitated by BJP Corporator Deepak Kotekar. Samarth Das, a Juhu resident and architect, expressed optimism: “We trust that the relevant authorities will take swift and decisive action to create a healthier and safer environment for all citizens.”
