High-tech construction has played a significant role in Mumbai’s development. It has helped by providing residence to a huge population. With it, skyscrapers, complexes and infrastructural development are main attractions in Mumbai. But do you know all these building’s construction comes with sufferings? Yes, the sufferings for the environment and every resident living in the area. Construction sites in Mumbai have major contributions to air pollution.
Hence, the mandates are necessary to control air pollution. Thus, BMC has made various mandates and rules for construction sites. These construction rules aim to mitigate air pollution by enforcing air quality monitoring. Air quality in bustling metropolises like Mumbai is concerning. It is due to various activities going on every day. And one of the constant activities is the construction. Let us know more in details about the mandates to combat air pollution in the city!
What activities at construction sites highly contribute to air pollution?
Construction sites involve various activities and these continue for a long period. As till the building is completed for people. But the issue is the time that it takes for the construction and demolition. These activities emit various pollutants in the atmosphere. Mostly, construction materials eliminate dust that results in Particulate matter. Hence, these cause extreme health issues that decreases individuals life spans.
1. Dust:
Dust particles emit from demolition, material handling, and excavation. And it contributes to the particulate matter pollution (PM2.5 and PM10).
2. Vehicles:
Heavy vehicles are used for material handling as loading and transferring. It emits nitrogen oxides (NOx), volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and particulate matter (PM).
3. Materials:
Construction involves many construction materials including paints and concrete. These release VOCs and other air pollution.
These are only a few examples that emit air pollution released from construction sites.
What are the rules and mandate for construction sites in Mumbai?
Construction sites involve various activities that result in poor air quality index (AQI). Not only this, the dust and pollutants from construction sites lead to extreme health issues. These causes various issues for humans and the environment. Hence, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has developed a plan to mitigate air pollution, outlining numerous mandates and rules for construction sites. These regulations can help in mitigating air pollution due to construction activities.
Here are the following mandates for construction sites in Mumbai:
- All these rules apply to all construction sites including the government as well. All worksites in Mumbai should have a 25-foot barricading. It is also covered with tarpaulin/jute/green cloth sheets.
- Additionally, smog guns and water sprinklers are employed to control dust emissions resulting from construction work.
- Vehicles carrying construction materials have to cover their top. Alongside, these are observed by the agencies including SRA (Slum Rehabilitation Authority. With it, many authorities including Airport Authority of India, Railways, Government or Semi-government authorities and private construction sites.
- Special squads deployed to prevent illegal C&D dumping at night. Vehicles overloading, uncovered and spilling construction materials are also observed.
- Also, these teams help in recording video evidence when necessary. Besides, they can also take actions for noncompliance, such as stop-work order or site sealing.
- These squads also visit the sites and take action in any compliance. BMC mandated the AQI measurement system at construction sites. With it, the regulations also include the CCTV cameras installation to confirm vehicle cleanliness and no overload.
How to monitor air quality at construction sites in Mumbai?
The air quality monitoring at construction sites in Mumbai is possible with the advanced air quality monitors. Since these devices function with high-tech sensors. These can easily detect and measure the various pollutants. Mostly, particulate matter and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). These are the major pollutants emitted from construction sites.
Ambient Air Quality Monitor is the best solution for pollution monitoring at construction sites.
The device has PM2.5 and PM10 sensors that help. The monitor also provides real-time readings on the air quality. Moreover, the device also has cloud storage that can store data. And it can provide the data directly to regulatory authorities through IP Statics. It makes the operation much easier to measure and monitor the air quality situation. With it, a CCTV camera or PTZ camera is also necessary at the construction sites. Since it helps in capturing the pollution root cause and directly sharing the data to the regulatory authorities.
Prana Air’s Ambient Air Quality Monitor provides highly reliable and accurate data on air quality. It Functions with advanced sensors to measure various pollutants. Furthermore, the device provides temperature, humidity and noise measurements as well. Through it, construction site monitoring becomes efficient. The device also shares the real-time data on the attached dashboard. It also offers cloud offline storage
