Mumbai Triggers GRAP-4 as Toxic Air Chokes Key Areas
BMC halts construction, issues shutdown notices as air quality dips to ‘very poor’ and ‘severe’ levels.
- GRAP-4 restrictions enforced in Mumbai’s worst-hit localities.
- Construction and dust-intensive activities halted; 50 sites receive shutdown notices.
- Flying squads deployed; 53 of 70 inspected sites found violating norms.
- Mumbai’s restrictions differ from Delhi’s stricter GRAP-4 measures.
GG News Bureau
Mumbai, 1st Dec: As air quality continues to deteriorate in Mumbai, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has imposed the strictest curbs under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP-4). The restrictions are active in neighbourhoods where the Air Quality Index (AQI) has dropped into the ‘very poor’ and ‘severe’ categories, causing health concerns among residents. The affected areas include Mazgaon, Deonar, Malad, Borivali East, Chakala–Andheri East, Navy Nagar, Powai and Mulund.
Under GRAP-4, the BMC has halted all construction and dust-generating activities in these zones. Dozens of sites are under surveillance, and 50 construction and Ready-Mix Concrete (RMC) units have been issued stop-work or shutdown notices. Small industries such as bakeries, marble-cutting units and other local facilities have been instructed to switch to cleaner operations or face punitive action.
Flying squads comprising engineers, police personnel and GPS-tracked vehicles are patrolling every ward to enforce pollution-control measures. Of the 70 sites inspected so far, 53 were found violating dust-control rules and have been served notices.
Mumbai, which has been reporting AQI levels between 200–300 in recent weeks due to PM2.5 and PM10 pollutants, is now witnessing stricter curbs similar to those in Delhi. However, there are key differences in the two cities’ GRAP-4 implementations.
In Delhi, GRAP-4 typically includes a ban on BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel vehicles, shifting school classes to hybrid mode, reduced attendance in government offices and a complete ban on truck entry into the national capital.
Despite Mumbai’s AQI being comparatively lower than Delhi’s recent 300–400 range, the BMC has opted for early intervention to prevent further escalation. Authorities have warned that more stringent action will follow if pollution levels do not improve.
