Pune: The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) had ordered a halt to 208 construction projects across the city due to non-compliance with dust pollution control measures. However, after a period of one and a half months, only 50 projects have submitted compliance reports and requested approval to resume work. The status of the remaining 150+ projects remains unclear, as PMC has yet to verify if they have adhered to the stop-work order.
With rapid urban development in Pune, increasing construction activities have led to rising dust pollution levels, prompting PMC’s Construction Department to enforce strict regulations. The department had conducted site inspections and found 208 projects violating pollution control guidelines, leading to notices being issued and work being halted.
PMC had stated that construction work would not be permitted unless builders implemented the necessary measures to control dust emissions. However, despite this, only 50 projects have complied and applied for clearance, while the remaining 150+ projects have neither responded nor submitted compliance reports.
Lack of Follow-Up Inspections Raises Concerns
PMC officials have not conducted any follow-up inspections to verify whether the halted projects are actually adhering to the stop-work order or if construction activities continue despite the ban. This has raised concerns about lack of enforcement and monitoring by the civic body.
PMC construction department official stated: "Notices were issued to 208 projects for violating dust pollution norms. Around 40 to 50 projects have now complied and received approval to continue construction. The remaining projects have been directed to submit reports confirming their compliance with pollution control measures."
