Mumbai Halts Construction in Areas With AQI Above 200 Under GRAP-4
Mumbai, 31st December 2024: The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has initiated certain measures under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP-4) in response to Mumbai’s worsening air quality over the past weeks.
Municipal Commissioner Bhushan Gagrani announced the immediate suspension of all construction activities—both public and private—in areas where the Air Quality Index (AQI) surpasses 200, categorized as “poor.” Construction work has already been halted in Borivali East and Byculla, where AQI levels have consistently exceeded this threshold.
Gagrani stated, “Construction will be stopped in areas with AQI over 200, following GRAP-4 norms. No prior ‘stop-work’ notices will be issued to developers, and inspections will be carried out for 2-3 days before resuming operations.” Areas like Worli and Navy Nagar, which are approaching the AQI limit, are also being closely monitored.
In addition, the civic body has ceased issuing permissions for trenching work until air quality improves. Developers found violating the 28-point pollution control guidelines will face police complaints and legal action under Section 52 of the Maharashtra Regional and Town Planning (MRTP) Act. To date, “stop-work” notices have been served to 286 developers for non-compliance.
Despite Mumbai’s overall AQI remaining below 200, localized areas such as Mazgaon, Borivali, Malad, and Navy Nagar have consistently recorded AQI levels above 200. GRAP-4 rules, including temporary construction bans, apply uniformly to all projects, including government ones. However, Gagrani clarified that measures under GRAP-2 and GRAP-3 will not be enforced at this stage.
Experts have noted that GRAP measures vary between cities. In Delhi, stage 4 is invoked when AQI levels exceed 400, a category deemed “severe.” Dr Tuhin Banerji from the Bombay Environment Action Group (BEAG) called for a more comprehensive implementation of GRAP in Mumbai, suggesting measures such as restricting heavy commercial vehicles during peak hours, reducing emissions from thermal plants, and regulating open-air eateries.
The Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) has also instructed the BMC to convert 356 wood and coal-based bakeries to cleaner fuels within a year. Legal proceedings have already been initiated against 77 bakeries that failed to comply. Additionally, plans are underway to transition 225 crematoriums to clean fuel alternatives.
The city’s ongoing concretization and road excavation activities remain significant contributors to pollution. Gagrani emphasized that while some work cannot be halted, permissions for trenching have been temporarily suspended until air quality shows marked improvement.
