Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation Fines Builder ₹92,000 For Repeated Violations Of Pollution Norms
Navi Mumbai: Responding to public complaints over pollution at construction sites, the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) has imposed a hefty penalty of over Rs 92,000 on a builder in Sector-11, Koparkhairane. The fine follows repeated violations of pollution control norms and marks one of the highest penalties levied by the civic body on erring developers.
About The Case
The NMMC issued two notices dated May 7 and 9, identifying six violations based on the standard operating procedures (SOPs) mandated by the High Court. The builder has been given seven days to provide documents showing compliance with the orders.
This comes close on the heels of a Rs 1.1 lakh fine imposed on a developer in Vashi. In 2024, NMMC collected over Rs 1.72 crore in fines from construction-related pollution violations.
The latest action was triggered by complaints from local activist Madhu Shankar of the ‘Human Chain’ forum. She reported that unclean vehicles were entering and exiting the site, leaving mud trails on the roads that dry into dust, contributing to deteriorating air quality. B.N. Kumar, convenor of Human Chain, further amplified the issue by posting on X (formerly Twitter), tagging NMMC and alerting City Engineer Shirish Ardwad, who promised “immediate action.”
The civic response was welcomed by activists, though they urged greater vigilance and proactive enforcement. “We are happy that the civic body is responsive,” said Kumar, calling on citizens to remain alert and report air and water pollution violations.
Despite multiple court orders and penalties, several construction sites across Navi Mumbai continue to flout SOPs. “In Vashi’s Sector 9, roads are coated with cement dust, and basic practices like washing vehicle tires are ignored,” Kumar lamented.
He also highlighted that Navi Mumbai's Air Quality Index (AQI) had previously soared to 400 during October 2024, far above the World Health Organization's safe limit of 50. With summer heat intensifying and construction activity expected to rise ahead of the monsoon, pollution levels are likely to worsen, he warned.
Kumar urged builders and their workers—many of whom reside in the city—to recognize the importance of maintaining clean air and streets for the well-being of all residents.
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