AHMEDABAD: Acting on frequent complaints regarding construction sites being major sources of dust or PM10 pollution — particulate matter that is 10 micrometres or less — the civic body has now begun monitoring air quality (AQ) at these locations. This is being done using real-time data collected from sensors installed at 22 building sites.
The Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) had made it compulsory for builders to install air quality sensors at sites spread over 10,000 sq m or more. “If pollution levels rise, then builders will receive notices, and repeated offences will lead to fines. Construction may also be halted, if necessary,” a senior AMC official said.
In 2021-22, the corporation studied 452 construction sites. Of these, 128 were between 5,000 and 20,000 sq m in size, 244 between 5,000 and 20,000 sq m, 70 sites were between 20,000 and 50,000 sq m and 10 were spread over 50,000 sq m. The study identified construction activities, industrial activities and the increasing number of vehicles as major contributors to air pollution.
The AMC then enforced a policy for measuring PM2.5 and PM10 at construction sites. The sensors are connected to AMC’s air pollution control software and daily data collection will alert developers if pollution rises, prompting them to take action.
A year ago, the corporation implemented new rules to mitigate air pollution at construction sites. These included measures such as installing barricades and wind shields, covering loose materials, spraying water to control dust, ensuring paved roads, preventing mud accumulation on vehicle tyres, keeping vehicles clean, providing sanitation facilities and LPG to workers, safe management of excavation activities, proper disposal of debris, utilising the excavated soil within the site itself and prohibiting placement of materials outside the designated plot.
