Municipal Commissioner Dr Kailas Shinde observed multiple violations at several ongoing projects
NAVI MUMBAI: Acting on strict directions of the Bombay High Court to curb rising air pollution, the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation has sealed seven construction and development sites across Navi Mumbai for failing to implement mandatory dust and pollution control measures.
The action follows an order passed on December 24, 2025, in Suo Motu Public Interest Litigation No. 3 of 2023, in which the High Court directed civic bodies to take immediate and effective steps to control air pollution caused by construction activity. In line with the order, the civic body had earlier issued Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to developers, detailing compulsory measures to control air and noise pollution, including adequate site barricading, water fogging, dust suppression, covering of construction material, and the use of protective gear by workers. Developers were clearly warned that failure to comply would invite penal action, including stop-work orders.
However, during a site inspection conducted by Municipal Commissioner Dr Kailas Shinde on January 24, 2026, multiple violations were observed at several ongoing projects. These included insufficient-height metal barricades around project perimeters, absence of green jute or tarpaulin sheets covering buildings under construction, failure to carry out water fogging during loading and unloading of materials, non-use of masks and safety equipment by labourers, lack of water sprinkling to prevent dust spread within a 500-metre radius of sites, uncovered transportation of construction material, and the absence of any responsible site representative or manager during inspection.
Following continued non-compliance despite prior notices, the civic body sealed five construction sites on January 27, 2026, located in residential and mixed-use zones of Sanpada in Navi Mumbai. These included:
Sai Amrut Builders (Plots 16 and 17, Sector 20, residential pocket near Sanpada node, Navi Mumbai)
Metrix Builders (Plot 10, Sector 19, adjoining internal access roads of Sanpada, Navi Mumbai)
Progressive Developers (Plot 12, Sector 20, mixed-use development zone in Sanpada, Navi Mumbai)
Kamdhenu Green (Plots 6 and 7, Sector 19, densely built residential stretch of Sanpada, Navi Mumbai)
Royal Palm Developers (DPVG Ventures LLP) (Plot 9B, Sector 20, Sanpada precinct close to arterial corridors, Navi Mumbai)
Kamdhenu Lifespace (Plots 18 and 25, Sector 8, Sanpada, within established housing clusters of Navi Mumbai)
Satyam Lifespace (Plot 7, Sector 16A, Sanpada, abutting local roads and habitation, Navi Mumbai)
Two additional sites elsewhere in Navi Mumbai were sealed on January 29, 2026. These included a Kamdhenu Lifespace project spread across plots 18 and 25 in Sector 8, Sanpada, and a Satyam Lifespace development on plot 7 in Sector 16A, both located within established residential neighbourhoods abutting local roads.
Civic officials said the proximity of several of these construction sites to residential areas made strict enforcement of dust and air pollution control measures critical. Construction activity at the sealed sites will be permitted to resume only after developers demonstrate full compliance with prescribed norms and receive clearance from civic authorities.
