Mumbai: The BMC’s S ward office has imposed a penalty of Rs 1 lakh on an under-construction site near the main gate of IIT-Bombay in Powai after a video showing a massive dust storm emanating from the premises went viral on social media platform X.The video, posted by the X handle @mumbaimatters, showed a thick cloud of dust engulfing the surrounding area and questioned the enforcement of the civic body’s dust pollution control norms.“What nonsense is this? It’s a Dust Storm. SOPs for #DustPollutionControl all seem to be just on paper. Watch this blatant Violation of all norms. What’s @mybmc @mpcb_official doing?” the post said.Following the circulation of the video, the BMC’s solid waste management team from S ward visited the site, identified as Dhayankunj building, on Nov 3, Tuesday, and conducted an inspection.“An inspection report was issued under air pollution norms. The site has been penalized Rs 1 lakh. We are issuing a stop-work notice to the project,” said Samrin Sayyed, assistant municipal commissioner S ward.The official added that the building falls under the C-1 category, which denotes a dilapidated structure.The BMC issued comprehensive guidelines on Oct 15, 2024, for air pollution mitigation measures. These include erecting tin sheets around the construction sites; compulsory enclosing of construction sites with green cloth/jute sheet/tarpaulin from all sides; spraying of water during the demolition of structures; and scientific storage. Buildings under construction shall ensure water fogging is carried out during loading and unloading of materials at the construction site; besides, water sprinkling needs to be done on debris/earth material etc. which are prone to generate airborne particulate matter.
