PMC stops work at Pune construction sites for not taking dust mitigation steps

Work at construction sites across the city has been stopped by the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) in a crackdown against dust pollution. The corporation has issued notices to 158 construction sites, of which 91 were served stop-work orders for failing to implement dust mitigation measures like erection of boundary walls around construction sites, covering of the site in green cloth, and water sprinkling. The notices have been issued across six construction department zones in the city.

According to the 24-hour average data uploaded by the Central Pollution Control Board at 4 pm, Pune’s Air Quality Index (AQI) deteriorated and fell under the moderate category 106-69 during December 9-13, triggering the PMC for stern measures.

Pune had an AQI of 88 and 83 on December 7 and 8 respectively. These levels fall under the satisfactory category.

Dust produced during construction contributes a significant percentage to airborne particulate matter. A 2021 report by the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board said that construction dust accounts for around 11.5 per cent of all PM10 and PM25 pollution in Pune.

Sridhar Yeolekar, superintendent engineer at PMC Building Department, told The Indian Express that surveys were undertaken by engineers after which the stop-work notices were issued. “The other sites that have not been issued stop-work notices have been asked to provide information about the sites to the department,” he added.

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