Mumbai: Metro construction activities causing major dust pollution, suggest findings – Times of India

Mumbai: Among various construction activities happening these days in Mumbai, the ongoing construction of Metro rail lines is causing major dust pollution, revealed the world resources institute (WRI) in its findings submitted to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC).
WRI suggests that the city adopts cleaner fuels and decongest the traffic by shifting people to public transport. It also asks for improving waste collection mechanisms, scientific remediation of landfill sites, increase in stack heights in industries, adoption of low-sulphur fuels by Tata Power, and appointment of enforcement marshals to ensure that people strictly follow anti-pollution norms.
“Construction activities are contributing to almost 8% of the total emission of particulate matter. Construction of Mumbai metro projects contribute to 3.2% of suspension dust,” the findings revealed suggesting that air quality issues be now locally identified and tackled.
Frequent fires at landfill sites of Deonar and Kanjurmarg besides indiscriminate frequent burning of wastes at isolated places increases the pollution of deadly hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide, it points out further.
“Paved and unpaved road dust results in a high concentration of suspension dust,” the report said, suggesting a better road sweeping and washing mechanism. City has a high annual concentration of particulate matter (PM) and nitrogen oxides from roadside construction and traffic emissions from heavy-duty diesel vehicles.
Some other WRI recommendations include; checking and installing of PUC for buses every six months, the appointment of enforcement marshals, increasing LPG users, banning of entry of heavy vehicles during peak morning and evening hours, and reducing sulphur content in fuel by Tata power.
Mumbai is the second most congested city in the world in 2020 with a high congestion level of 53%. 400% increase in private vehicle ownership and declining in public transport from 88 to 70% from 2008 to 2015 are cited as the major reasons. The report also asks BMC for better monitoring and coordination to tackle pollution through a dedicated cell.