Mumbai: NMMC Issues Notice to CIDCO Over Rising Pollution at PM Housing Projects in Navi Mumbai
Navi Mumbai, 29th December 2025: The Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) has served a notice to the City and Industrial Development Corporation (CIDCO), urging immediate action to control air and noise pollution caused by ongoing construction under the Prime Minister Housing Scheme. The notice states that if corrective measures are not implemented within seven days, construction activities may be halted.
CIDCO is currently developing over 24,000 homes in Navi Mumbai for low- and middle-income residents, with major projects underway near Sector 19, Vashi, and Juinagar railway stations. However, a special survey conducted by NMMC revealed that standard pollution control practices are not being adequately followed. These include dust suppression, proper handling of construction materials, high-coverage enclosures, and regular water sprinkling.
The development comes amid growing concerns over rising air pollution in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR), including Thane and Navi Mumbai, where construction and infrastructure projects have contributed to higher dust levels. The Mumbai High Court has repeatedly stressed the severity of the pollution crisis, issuing directives and a standardised framework to control air and noise pollution, including guidelines for blasting operations. Despite these regulations and NMMC’s August 2024 circular on best practices, CIDCO has reportedly failed to comply, prompting the municipal notice.
Attempts to reach CIDCO Managing Director Vijay Singhal were unsuccessful, and the corporation has not issued any response regarding the notice.
Survey Findings by NMMC
The survey highlighted several lapses in compliance at construction sites, including:
Failure to install high-coverage enclosures around work areas
Irregular water sprinkling to suppress dust
Inadequate measures to prevent dust dispersal during transport of construction materials
Authorities have warned that failure to implement these measures could have serious public health implications, especially given the high concentration of industrial activity in the Thane-Belapur belt and ongoing dense construction in Navi Mumbai.
The High Court has repeatedly called on local authorities to prioritise air quality, issuing guidelines and action plans, including a recent order on 28 November 2025 outlining specific measures to mitigate noise and air pollution. Nevertheless, several cities in the MMR, including Navi Mumbai, have reportedly struggled with effective enforcement, raising concerns over public safety and compliance.
