The Confederation of Real Estate Developers' Associations of India (CREDAI) Maharashtra Chamber of Housing Industry (MCHI)- an apex body of real estate developers in Mumbai - on November 13 said that it is unfair to solely attribute rising pollution levels to heavy construction.
The developers' body said refineries, waste management, and power plants significantly impact air quality in Mumbai.
"The recent identification of M-East ward (areas including Chembur, Mankhurd and Deonar) with the highest air pollution levels highlights the diverse contributors, including power plants, refineries, and the Deonar landfill," the developers' body said in a statement.
CREDAI-MCHI said that it supports initiatives for stricter control of emissions from state-run refineries and responsible waste-disposal practices.
"We advocate for a collaborative approach to address pollution comprehensively and challenge the notion that the real estate sector should bear the brunt of the pollution menace and urge a collective effort to tackle the broader challenges faced by Mumbai," the statement further read.
Mumbai's civic body, Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) in October 2023 issued guidelines to 6,000 construction sites to keep dust and air pollution in check. These include private real estate construction sites and infrastructure project sites in the city of Mumbai.
The BMC had said any uncovered building under construction would face a stop-work notice from the BMC. The installation of a sprinkler system on key plot/site areas is mandatory, with regular misting throughout the day during construction, said the BMC.
"We acknowledge the critical issue of air pollution but emphasise a comprehensive perspective. While construction activities, including ongoing infrastructure projects like the metro rail, are factors, it is crucial to recognise the multifaceted nature of Mumbai's pollution problem," said Dominic Romell, President of CREDAI-MCHI.
According to developers, attributing air quality crisis solely to the real estate sector oversimplifies a complex issue.
"We welcome the BMC Circular and also the CREDAI-MCHI recommendation aimed at improving anti-pollution measures at construction sites. It is essential to recognise that attributing the entire air quality crisis solely to the real estate sector oversimplifies a complex issue. Mumbai faces challenges from various sources, including heavy diesel vehicles, refineries, power plants, atomic reactors, open dumpyards, and waste burning," said Haresh Sanghvi, Member - CREDAI-MCHI and Chairman of Veena Developers.
"We urge authorities to consider a holistic approach, addressing all major contributors to air pollution, to achieve lasting and meaningful change for the benefit of our community and the city at large," Sanghvi added.
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