BMC plans to appoint a third-party agency to check AQI monitors at construction sites across Mumbai

Mumbai: The BMC plans to appoint a third-party agency to carry out checks on the sensor-based AQI monitors installed at construction sites across the city. Aspects like location of the sensors will be examined and calibration of the monitors at the sites will be carried out by the agency.Meanwhile, the civic body has issued show cause notices to 135 sites and stop work notices to 93 sites in Feb alone. "While we have our own squads, which visit construction sites and check whether they are adhering to the 28-point air pollution mitigation guidelines, the agency will check the sensor-based air quality monitors, especially aspects such as the location of the sensors and whether the readings of the monitors reflect the actual site conditions. The agencies will carry out tests to ensure the readings are correct," said a civic official. The official also said the BMC is preparing a proposal and will soon float a tender for the appointment of the third-party agency. The civic body has also deployed ward-level flying squads to enforce the 28-point air pollution guidelines. These squads will monitor construction sites and issue notices if they find violations.