Pune: PMC Struggles To Enforce Construction Ban Amid Dust Pollution Concerns; No Clarity On Status Of 150 Construction Projects
Pune, 22nd February 2025: The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) had issued stop-work notices to 208 construction projects across the city for failing to implement necessary dust pollution control measures. However, after one and a half months, only 50 of these projects have complied and requested permission to resume work. Meanwhile, PMC officials remain unaware of the status of the remaining 150 projects, raising concerns over the enforcement of the ban.
Dust pollution has been a growing issue in Pune due to large-scale construction activities. To mitigate this problem, PMC’s Building Department formulated regulations mandating pollution control measures at construction sites. During inspections, 208 projects were found violating these rules and were subsequently ordered to halt work.
PMC had announced that construction could only resume after developers took adequate steps to control dust and submitted compliance reports. However, with only 50 projects adhering to the directive, questions arise over the fate of the remaining sites. Officials admitted that there have been no follow-up inspections to verify whether work has genuinely stopped at these locations.
The lack of response from over 150 construction projects has sparked criticism. Many are questioning PMC’s ability to monitor and enforce its own directives. The situation has fueled concerns that several developers might be continuing work despite the ban, worsening the city’s air quality.
