NMMC Seals Avenue Supermart Construction Site in Turbhe Over Dust Violations
The Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) sealed a construction site belonging to Avenue Supermart Ltd at Sector 18 in Turbhe on Friday after the developer failed to implement mandatory air and dust pollution control measures.
Civic authorities stated that the enforcement was executed following repeated violations of environmental regulations prescribed for construction activities, in line with directions from the Bombay High Court in Suo Motu Public Interest Litigation No. 3/2023.
The lapses were initially uncovered during an on-site inspection conducted by Municipal Commissioner Dr Kailas Shinde on January 24 at Plot No. 3-1A. Officials noted that the buildings under construction were not enclosed with required green cloth and wet jute-sheet tarpaulins.
Inspectors also found that mandatory water fogging was not being operated during the loading and unloading of construction materials. Workers on the premises were seen working without protective equipment such as masks, goggles, and aprons. In addition, water-spraying systems meant to mitigate dust pollution within a 500-metre radius and on surrounding roads were non-operational.
Vehicles transporting soil and construction materials were moving uncovered, resulting in thick dust and soil accumulating on the adjacent roads and pedestrian footpaths. No site manager or authorised representative was present to answer for the lapses during the commissioner's inspection.
The civic body stated that immediate and effective measures to control dust and air pollution remain mandatory across all projects, warning that failure to comply will result in work stoppages or sealing.
The sealing drive was carried out under the orders of Dr Shinde, guided by Additional Commissioner Dr Rahul Gethe and Deputy Commissioner (Encroachment) Sanjay Shinde. Turbhe Assistant Commissioner Sagar More, Junior Engineer Vinod Anche, encroachment department security staff, and police personnel were present at the location.
NMMC had earlier served notices to developers directing strict compliance with the Standard Operating Procedure for air and noise pollution control. The municipal administration confirmed that inspections and enforcement drives against non-compliant construction sites will be intensified across all wards.
