Poor air quality: Dust and construction choke Vasai-Virar

The air quality in the VasaiVirar area is rapidly declining due to ongoing construction demolition and roadwork that show no signs of abating The air quality index AQI has deteriorated exacerbated by continuous weather changes that have increased fog and dust particles leaving a thick layer of dust across the regionThe deterioration is attributed to several factors including unregulated construction activities open readymix concrete RMC plants and uncovered garbage collection vehicles Residents allege that the municipal corporation has failed to take action against rule violators ldquoIllegal construction work is rampant in VasaiVirarrdquo claimed local activistsA thick layer of fog seen across the regionRecently the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board MPCB acted against 12 RMC plants in the Sasunavghar area of Vasai East directing them to shut downSubRegional Officer Anand Katole confirmed the closure orders saying ldquoWe received numerous complaints against RMC plants in Sasunavghar including Oasis Infra Rathore Bhagyajeet Excellence Readymix Convoke Infra OM JVM Vrittiraj RMC Naresh Enterprise Landmark Corporation Bucon Readymix Nahar ReadyMix Skymix RMC and A S Infrastructuresrdquo The action was carried out between December 20 and January 2 with closure orders issued by the Regional Officer Thane Kiran HasabnisPollution sources and guidelinesThe presence of cement plants along the MumbaiAhmedabad National Highway combined with road renovations and infrastructure projects has significantly worsened the air quality AQI readings for the region are increasingly crossing harmful thresholds with levels above 200 deemed dangerous to healthTo improve air quality in the area the MPCB directed the VVCMC to take action against air pollution from Construction and Demolition CampD activitiesAQI levels on SundayThe air quality in Virar stayed in the moderate range on Sunday At 9 amit was 127 and the figure increased to 143 by 9 pm In Vasai an AQI level of 83 was registered at 9 am By 9 pm the AQI level rose to 100Key directives include Erecting 25foot metal sheets around construction sites larger than an acre smaller sites must also have 25foothigh barriers Enclosing buildings under construction with wet green cloth or tarpaulin Covering demolition sites with tarpaulin and using continuous water sprinkling to control dust Ensuring that all construction vehicles are fully covered to prevent debris from becoming airborne Installing air pollution monitors at construction sites and addressing pollution levels immediately Conducting grinding cutting and other activities in enclosed areas with continuous water fogging Transporting CampD waste strictly as per management plans ensuring vehicle cleanliness after unloading Storing soil sand and debris in designated covered areas to prevent public road contamination Providing tyrewashing facilities at site exits and cleaning major roads daily to remove dust Banning open burning of trash and ensuring roads have paved footpaths Ensuring RMC plants maintain vehicle cleanliness at all timesEnvironmental impactDespite the greenery along the highway constant dust emissions have severely impacted the environment Trees crops and fruitbearing plants are coated in layers of dust affecting their health Residents report that paddy fields and fruit orchards are suffering as a resultCitizens are calling for harsher penalties for noncompliance ldquoMunicipal bodies must address AQI fluctuations especially during winters and festivalsrdquo said KatoleA senior VVCMC official confirmed receiving MPCBs directives and pledged to implement measures to improve the regionrsquos air quality12No RMC plants MPCB has acted against