Maharashtra minister Ashish Shelar has written to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to suspend all construction and demolition activities in Mumbai for one day a week.
In addition to this he has also asked the Municipal Commissioner Ashwini Bhide to form a time-sensitive plan to improve air quality in the city.
This includes implementing a city-specific Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), better monitoring of pollution sources, more serious action regarding vehicle emissions and taking targeted action at high polluting areas.
Mumbai Specific GRAP and Stricter Civic Action
"City specific GRAP to be implemented to take suitable action as the air pollution levels increase. Roads to be cleaned using treated water.
Increase in night time mechanical cleaning of roads. Prompt repair of potholes. Prompt restoration of roads after excavations.
Setting up of a specific helpline and social media page so citizens can report burning of waste, fires at dumpsites and illegal dumping of construction waste.
Fines to be imposed and weekly reports to be issued on action taken. Using anti-smog guns and mist nozzles at pollution hotspots and major junctions."
Vehicle Emissions and Construction Site Monitoring
Working with Mumbai Traffic Police and the Regional Transport Office the BMC should take action against vehicles emitting smoke. Increasing checks on PUC certificates.
No heavy vehicles allowed into the city without valid PUC certificates. Faster installation of sensor-based air quality monitoring systems at construction sites.
The last 87 wood and coal firing bakeries in the city need to be converted to cleaner fuels. This should all be part of a wider strategy to reduce emissions from transport, construction and other sources within the city.
Cleaner Energy and Ward Level Pollution Plans
Across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region industries burn approximately two million tons of coal each year.
To encourage them to move to cleaner alternatives low interest loans, tax rebates and green energy funding should be offered. Incentives can be provided to increase the electrification of public and private transport.
Working with automobile manufacturers and private companies. Meetings should be held with all 26 administrative wards within the BMC. Citizens groups, elected officials and government departments should be brought together to find out what pollution sources are present within their area and produce solutions.
Meetings can also be held with major industrial companies to get technical and financial support. Immediate action, long term planning and collaboration between civic bodies across the metro region will be needed to combat air pollution in Mumbai.