As Mumbai grapples with deteriorating air quality, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has taken decisive steps to address the crisis. On Monday, BMC Commissioner announced an immediate halt to construction activities in areas where the Air Quality Index (AQI) exceeds 200, categorised as "poor."

The suspension applies to all private and government projects, including civic construction, under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP-IV) norms. Current stoppages include works in Byculla and Borivali East, where air pollution has reached concerning levels.

The directive would be enforced without issuing prior stop-work notices to developers. Developers must comply with the 28-point environmental management guidelines issued by the BMC or face penalties under the Maharashtra Regional Town Planning Act. Permissions for trench digging have also been paused until air quality improves.

These measures reflect the urgency to combat Mumbai’s rising pollution, which poses severe health risks. The BMC announced that citizens can report air quality issues in Mumbai through the 'Mumbai Air App,' which has received 412 complaints so far, with 350 of them successfully resolved.