Pune, 26 February 2026: City is witnessing a major compliance gap in monitoring air pollution at construction sites. Out of nearly 18,000 authorized construction projects across the city, air quality monitoring sensors have been installed at only 153 locations, less than one per cent of the total sites. The revelation comes at a time when air pollution remains a growing concern.
Under a circular issued by the Pune Municipal Corporation in December 2025, construction projects with a built-up area of more than 5,000 square meters were required to install dust-monitoring sensors within 15 days. A total of 678 such large-scale projects fall under this category. However, most developers have failed to comply with the directive.
To address construction-related air pollution, PMC recently conducted a workshop under the National Clean Air Program to guide developers and officials on installing Construction Emission Monitoring Systems. The sensors measure particulate matter levels, including PM10 and PM2.5, at project sites.
The data will be displayed on the municipal dashboard, allowing authorities to track pollution levels in real time. If pollution levels rise beyond permissible limits, alerts will be sent to concerned stakeholders via SMS and email, followed by necessary action. Each sensor costs between ₹60,000 and ₹70,000, and the expense must be borne by developers.
Mayor Manjusha Nagpure said, “If we truly want to reduce air pollution, monitoring only a limited number of large projects will not be enough. The 5,000 square meter threshold should be reduced. Construction sites above 1,000 square meters must also be made to install sensors, and a decision should be taken immediately.”
Additional Municipal Commissioner Prithviraj B.P. clarified that in the first phase, the focus will remain on the 678 projects exceeding 5,000 square meters. “Once these sites are covered, the system will gradually be implemented at other construction locations as well,” he said.
The civic body has also acknowledged concerns about pollution from Ready-Mix Concrete (RMC) plants. Mayor Nagpure stated that a separate meeting will be held with RMC plant operators, as pollution from these facilities is significant and they too may be brought under the monitoring framework.
Despite clear instructions issued on December 17, 2025, compliance has remained weak, raising serious questions about enforcement and environmental accountability in the city’s rapidly expanding construction sector.
