Special Drive to Be Launched to Reduce Road Dust in Mumbai
Mumbai, October 2026: Strict measures will be implemented to reduce air pollution in Mumbai and its surrounding areas, with a focus on controlling road dust, managing the transportation and disposal of construction debris, curbing industrial pollution and reducing vehicular emissions. Environment and Climate Change Minister Pankaja Munde said a coordinated set of measures would be formulated for the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) under a Clean Air Action Plan.
She said road dust reduction efforts would go beyond routine sweeping and include the use of vacuum cleaning machines, water spraying through sprinklers and mandatory covering of vehicles transporting construction debris.
Munde chaired a meeting to review measures to address air pollution in Mumbai and its surrounding areas. Environment and Climate Change Department Secretary Jayshree Bhoj, Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) Member Secretary Rahul Rekhawar, Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation Additional Commissioner Avinash Dhakane and Panvel Municipal Commissioner Mangesh Chitale, among other officials, attended the meeting. Commissioners of municipal corporations across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region participated through video conferencing.
Road Dust a Major Contributor to Pollution
Referring to information presented at the meeting, Munde stressed the need to address road dust and dust particles that are resuspended in the air by vehicular movement. Since these are significant contributors to pollution, she said road-cleaning methods needed to be improved.
Simply sweeping dust to one side does not reduce pollution, she said, calling for greater use of vacuum cleaning machines. She also suggested exploring the use of treated wastewater for spraying water through sprinklers.
Municipal corporations should procure the necessary equipment and adopt technological solutions for road cleaning, dust control and regular pollution monitoring, she said. She also asked officials to explore measures to reduce dust on the open grounds of schools and colleges.
Strict Rules for Transportation of Construction Debris
With construction and redevelopment activities underway on a large scale across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, the transportation and disposal of construction debris have emerged as major concerns.
Munde directed that vehicles transporting debris must ensure that construction material is completely covered. She instructed the traffic police not to allow vehicles violating the rules to proceed merely after paying a fine, but to ensure that the required corrective measures are completed before they are permitted to continue. She called for strict enforcement of the applicable regulations.
The minister noted that several municipal corporations were facing difficulties due to a shortage of designated sites for construction debris disposal. She called for an integrated system for debris collection, transportation, processing and recycling.
Municipal corporations in Mumbai and neighbouring areas should explore the possibility of jointly using available land, she said. Alongside developing dedicated disposal facilities, authorities should promote the processing and reuse of construction debris in building activities.
Guidelines on these issues are expected to be prepared within the next 15 to 20 days. Separate meetings will also be held with the Panvel, Kalyan and Mumbai municipal corporations, along with other local bodies, to understand their specific challenges, Munde said.
Action Warning for Polluting Industries
The Maharashtra Pollution Control Board should focus not only on inspections but also on ensuring actual compliance with pollution-control regulations, Munde said. Strict action should be taken against industries that repeatedly fail to comply despite inspections.
However, she clarified that the objective was not to shut down every industrial unit but to ensure that necessary improvements were made.
Older machinery and production processes have been identified as contributing to increased pollution in some industrial areas. Such locations require targeted measures based on local conditions, she said.
Munde directed the MPCB to increase the frequency of inspections and verify whether industries had complied with the prescribed norms following each visit.
Focus on Vehicular Emissions and Traffic Management
Measures will also target vehicle maintenance, enforcement of pollution-control requirements and dust generated during transportation. Agencies, including the traffic police, must coordinate to regulate vehicles carrying construction materials and take effective action against violations, the minister said.
The meeting also reviewed measures to increase the use of electric vehicles, provide electric buses for public transport and ensure proper utilisation of funds sanctioned under the National Clean Air Programme.
Emphasis on Green Measures in Urban Areas
Munde called for environmentally friendly solutions to reduce the impact of expanding construction activity, cement roads and dust from open spaces in urban areas.
She suggested a technical study on developing rooftop gardens, incorporating environmentally friendly changes in building designs and introducing dust-control measures in open urban spaces.
Although Mumbai's coastal location helps facilitate the movement of air, the city cannot rely solely on natural conditions to reduce pollution, she said. Road dust, construction debris, vehicular emissions and industrial pollution must be addressed through coordinated action.
Munde urged all municipal corporations and concerned departments to jointly prepare an action plan and ensure its effective implementation.
Civic Bodies Highlight Local Challenges
During the meeting, municipal commissioners outlined several local challenges.
The Mira-Bhayandar area is facing a shortage of sites for construction debris disposal, prompting discussions on the possible joint use of available sites in Mumbai or Thane. In Navi Mumbai, officials highlighted dust-control challenges arising from construction activities around the airport, redevelopment in industrial areas and traffic on national highways.
In the Kalyan-Dombivli region, concerns included the unauthorised transportation of construction debris at night and the dumping of debris in mangrove areas. Officials also discussed the need for police assistance to prevent such activities and coordination with the Regional Transport Office and police to remove abandoned vehicles parked along roadsides.
MPCB Member Secretary Rahul Rekhawar made a presentation outlining the pollution-control measures being undertaken by the board.
Department Secretary Jayshree Bhoj directed all concerned departments to strictly implement the MPCB's instructions and guidelines and submit reports in the prescribed format.
