Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis directs Mumbai civic body to use IOT and AI to monitor air pollution at construction sites

Mumbai: Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis has announced that the BMC has been directed to use IoT and AI to create a dynamic system to monitor air pollution at all construction sites. The issue of air pollution resounded in the legislative council, with legislators raising the issue of air pollution in Mumbai and across the state on Wednesday.During Question Hour, Shiv Sena (UBT) MLC Anil Parab said the AQI record for Kherwadi, Bandra (East), was the highest in the city. He said construction of the bullet train station, metro and other private construction was resulting in massive pollution. He said no norms were being followed while demolishing buildings.
State environment minister Pankaja Munde initially said members must monitor the data put out by MPCB and CPCB and not rely on private data, as attempts were being made to derail construction of infrastructure projects. She said it was for the BMC to link the data and to monitor. Debris was also a very serious issue, and the govt was working on finding a solution.Parab said he obtained the information from the govt website. "If the information on your website is false, then what action will you take against the officials concerned?" he asked.NCP MLC Sashikant Shinde said huge mounds of earth were lying along the roadside at Uran on the way to the airport, and vehicular pollution was another issue. "This is not limited to BMC and municipal authorities. Only water is being sprayed on roads," he said.Munde replied the govt was working to create civic sense and awareness. At present, the focus was on strict action, she said.On the issue of air pollution across the state raised by Shiv Sena MLC Manisha Kayande, Munde said in a written reply that under the National Clear Air Programme (NCAP) an action plan to tackle air pollution in 19 cities was prepared. Measures to achieve the objective of reducing PM2.5 and PM10 by 20-30% and, by 2026, to 40% were being implemented, she said.In her written reply, Munde further said that as per the reports submitted by the health depts of BMC and Navi Mumbai there was no particular impact on the respiratory health of little children, senior citizens and those affected by respiratory issues.