More constructions to be brought under ambit of pollution monitoring system norms: PMC

Pune: The civic body now plans to make the installation of pollution monitoring systems mandatory for smaller construction projects too, bringing more sites under the ambit of existing norms.As per officials of Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC), only constructions above 5,000 sqm in size are currently mandated to install these systems. However, mayor Manjusha Nagpure on Wednesday told reporters, "We will soon reduce the minimum size of plots for installation of these units. The civic administration will also make it compulsory for govt and civic projects to monitor their pollution levels."
She added that ready-mix concrete (RMC) plants will also be brought under the monitoring system.Asked if PMC has taken any action against RMC plants located in civic limits that are causing elevated levels of pollution — especially in Sinhagad Road areas, which she represents— Nagpure responded, "A policy will have to be formed for the same." PMC on Wednesday also launched a dashboard to check pollution level at private constructions. Civic officials said they have till date taken action against 220 developers, who have not followed norms of installing monitoring systems. After receiving show-cause notices, around 193 installed the units. On the same day, PMC issued a stop-work notice to a private builder in Kothrud for allegedly not following pollution control norms at the site of an ongoing construction in the area. The notice issued by the building permission department said: "It has come to our notice that directions issued by the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board on Nov 2, 2023, are being violated at the construction site. Upon inspection of the said property, it has been observed that dumpers are operating in large numbers, resulting in significant dust emissions on the road. It was found that green netting has not been appropriately installed, other safety measures are lacking, and air pollution norms are not being complied with." The notice added: "Consequently, as per the approval received from the city engineer dated Feb 25, 2026, a notice is hereby given to stop the work on the said property under section 267 (1) of the Maharashtra Municipal Corporation Act and section 54 of the Maharashtra Regional and Town Planning Act, 1966." The notice added that if the said construction is continued, action will be taken with the assistance of the police against the persons performing the work, as per the provisions of the aforementioned acts and the powers vested in the civic body. PMC areas host around 350 sites that are larger than 5,000 sqm, as per official estimates. "The aim behind the notices is not to pose any threat to developers. The civic administration wants to put a system in place to deal with air pollution caused by construction activity. It is intended to create awareness about thehigh concentration of pollutants in the air," said Prithviraj BP, additional commissioner of PMC, speaking about the latest decision to expand the monitoring ambit.The civic administration in 2024 had instructed adherence to norms and safety guidelines to prevent pollution, including use of green nets, large iron sheets, and other precautions. According to civic officials, pollution has increased due to private as well as civic works across its the city. Construction of projects like flyovers, bridges, roads, and public transport facilities can be seen in locations like Sinhagad Road, Kothrud, Bavdhan, Baner, Pashan, Aundh, NIBM Road, Kondhwa, Solapur Road, and Satara Road areas.Apart from the norms in the Unified Development Control and Promotion Regulations (UDCPR), the PMC had come out with new directives on the lines of those framed by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), which made it mandatory for developers and contractors to guard construction sites with tin sheets.PMC officials also said that squads will monitor the movement of trucks that carry gravel, soil, and crushed stones to construction sites from building material suppliers.