Pune: In a major action against dust pollution, the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has ordered the immediate suspension of 91 construction projects and issued notices to 158 sites across the city.

The action follows repeated warnings to developers to adhere to Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) guidelines for reducing construction-related pollution, which have largely gone unheeded.

Rising dust levels from construction activities have been causing severe respiratory, cardiovascular, and eye ailments among residents. During winter, the situation worsens significantly. To address this, the PMC issued directives for implementing specific dust control measures:

• Cover construction areas with 25-foot-high boundary sheets.

• Use green nets to cover active construction zones and spray them with water to prevent dust.

• Spray water during peak traffic hours on roads near construction sites.

• Cover debris during transportation and ensure vehicles carrying materials have clean tires.

• Equip workers with protective gear such as goggles, masks, and helmets.

PMC engineers surveyed construction sites across six zones in the city, identifying projects that had failed to implement these measures.

• Zone 1: 36 notices

• Zone 2: 15 notices

• Zone 3: 4 notices

• Zone 4: 16 notices

• Zone 5: 67 notices (granted seven days to comply instead of an immediate halt)

• Zone 6: 20 notices

The notices, issued under Sections 267 of the Maharashtra Municipal Corporation Act and Section 54 of the Maharashtra Regional and Town Planning Act, 1966, mandate the immediate cessation of construction activities. Violations could lead to police action against responsible parties.

"Construction-related dust is causing significant inconvenience to citizens. Developers have been instructed to follow MPCB guidelines, but non-compliance persists. We have issued work-stoppage orders to 91 projects and will continue this campaign to enforce compliance," said Prashant Waghmare, PMC City Engineer.

Special Attention to Zone 5

Zone 5 stands out as an exception, with 67 projects receiving compliance notices but being given seven days to address the issues instead of facing an immediate halt.