Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai

Mumbai, Nov 28: Thick layers of white dust have become a daily sight across Juhu, Santacruz and Andheri, with residents blaming unregulated demolitions, ongoing construction and BMC’s road-concreting work for deteriorating air quality. Locals say that despite repeated complaints, AQI monitoring systems are missing, and basic dust-control measures are being ignored, leaving neighbourhoods blanketed in pollution.

In Andheri West’s Four Bungalows, residents expressed outrage after a video surfaced of the New Vikas Society demolition on Achyutrao Patwardhan Marg. The redevelopment activity, they alleged, was carried out without following mandatory dust-control norms. Massive clouds of dust spread across the area, affecting those living around the site.

A resident said the demolition generated heavy pollution due to the absence of water sprinklers or proper barricading. Local resident Parag Motani said Mumbai’s worsening AQI makes such negligence unacceptable. He added that the city is “choking” due to unchecked violations and urged the BMC to take strict action against those responsible.

Another resident, Sayali Kulkarni, said that with a school and a major hospital located nearby, such violations endanger children, patients and the local community. She appealed to the BMC and MPCB to act immediately, warning that continued negligence could cause irreparable public-health damage.

In Santacruz, residents along Main Avenue Road are also struggling. With over five construction sites on a single stretch and roadwork underway, dust has engulfed the entire locality. Residents say breathing has become difficult, especially for two-wheeler riders and pedestrians.

Local resident Gaurau Aba Sarpute said he finds it hard to breathe even with a mask, and without one, he inhales all the dust. A passerby described it as a “daily struggle” and added that every surface, from roads to shop fronts, is coated in thick dust.

Several construction sites have sprinkled water only at their entrances, while others have ignored dust-control norms entirely. Dug-up patches left unattended by the BMC contribute further to pollution when vehicles pass over them. Residents say trees along the stretch are covered in a grey layer, making the situation visibly worse.

Resident Shaunak Modi, who suffers from asthma, said the rising dust has started affecting his health severely. He added that while development is necessary, it should not come at the cost of residents’ well-being.

Locals across these areas say they are not against redevelopment but demand that it be carried out responsibly, with proper dust-control measures and accountability from both developers and civic authorities.