Mumbai air pollution: Bombay High Court orders strict monitoring of construction activities, forms five-member committee

A bench comprising Chief Justice Shree Chandrashekhar and Justice Gautam Ankhad set up an independent five-member committee to inspect construction sites.

Published on: Nov 28, 2025, 15:59:48 IST

By Shivya Kanojia

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The Bombay High Court on Friday said that tackling Mumbai’s poor air quality would require time, but pollution caused by construction activities could be controlled if existing guidelines are strictly implemented.

Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) workers clean roads to curb air pollution, at Churchgate in Mumbai (ANI)

A bench comprising Chief Justice Shree Chandrashekhar and Justice Gautam Ankhad set up an independent five-member committee to inspect construction sites. The panel includes officials from the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB), and the state government’s public health department. Their task is to verify whether construction projects are following pollution control measures, as per news agency PTI.

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The court was hearing several petitions highlighting the worsening Air Quality Index (AQI) in Mumbai, which petitioners’ lawyers said has been deteriorating steadily since 2023. The court directed the BMC and MPCB to submit a report by 15 December detailing the actions taken in the previous year to control air pollution.

"This will take some time. Delhi has been struggling since more than 15 years now. Mumbai, in fact, has some benefits. In Mumbai, it can be done," the court said.

Chief Justice Chandrashekhar acknowledged that improving air quality would take time, drawing a comparison with Delhi, which has struggled with pollution for over 15 years. He added, however, that Mumbai could achieve better results if proper steps were followed.

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The court also called for transparency regarding BMC’s oversight measures, including visits by special squads, installation of CCTV cameras and sensor-based air pollution monitors at construction sites.

"Let us ensure that construction sites and dust pollution are tackled. It can be done immediately in one to two weeks. That would be some effective measures," the bench said.

Senior counsel Darius Khambata, appointed by the court, said guidelines issued in 2024 for construction sites, such as sprinkling water, using sensors, and CCTV monitoring, were not being consistently implemented. The court noted that while vehicular pollution is another concern, it could be addressed later

The bench stressed that immediate action could be taken to reduce dust and construction-related pollution within one to two weeks if guidelines were properly followed.

(With PTI inputs)

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Shivya Kanojia
Shivya Kanojia is a journalist at Hindustan Times, where she works in the fast-paced digital news ecosystem with a strong sense of editorial judgement and a clear understanding of what makes a story both important and traffic-driven. An alumna of the Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC), Shivya brings a thoughtful balance of news value and audience relevance to her work, ensuring stories resonate beyond the immediate headline. Over the course of her three-year journey in the digital news space, Shivya has worked across a wide range of beats, including politics, civic issues, human-interest features and trending news. This diverse exposure has shaped her ability to approach stories with nuance, adaptability and context, whether she is breaking down complex developments or spotlighting everyday narratives that often go unnoticed. She is particularly drawn to human-interest stories, interviews and explainers that offer depth and clarity, aiming to move past surface-level reporting to explore the people, emotions and circumstances behind the news. Prior to joining Hindustan Times, Shivya worked with Firstpost and Times Now, where she covered a broad spectrum of topics and honed her skills in digital journalism . Outside the newsroom, Shivya enjoys discovering new cafés, drawn to good coffee, cosy spaces and unhurried conversations. Shopping is another pastime she cherishes, not always out of necessity, but often guided by instinct and the simple joy of stumbling upon unexpected finds. Above all, she treasures time spent with loved ones, finding meaning in shared laughter, simple moments and memories that linger long after.Read More

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