Ensure cleanliness around project sites or face the music, BMC warns builders

In its bid to curtail the spread of monsoon-related diseases like dengue, malaria and leptospirosis that can spread rapidly from stagnant pools of water which are common at construction sites, the BMC has issued strict guidelines to developers in the city.

Mumbai currently has an estimated 2,741 projects which are under-construction all across the city, making it a prime breeding ground for the spread of diseases.

As per data collated by the BMC, the highest number of under-construction buildings, i.e 225, is in the city's P/north ward which includes residential areas like Malad and Malwani, while the B ward which includes areas like Sandhurst Road and Dongri, accounts for the lowest number of under-construction projects numbering about 17.

In its advisory, the BMC has asked builders to ensure that water is not allowed to stagnate at any of their ongoing construction sites across the city. Further the civic agency has also advised developers to conduct periodic checks on potential sites where rain water could accumulate like unused worker helmets, tarpaulin and plastic sheets, sheds and so on providing an ideal breeding ground for insects and mosquito larvae.

In case such spots are located, builders have been advised to get them cleaned up immediately to stop the spread of disease.

In view of the seriousness of the issue, the civic agency has also asked developers to conduct regular checks and ensure cleanliness in and around labour camps that house their workers till project completion. Further builders have also been asked to provide their labour with mosquito nets and arrange for health cards to be issued to each one of them as a precautionary measure.

Aware of the lax attitude towards maintaining cleanliness and hygiene among most builders, the BMC has warned of strict action - including the issuance of stop-work notices - to developers who refuse to comply with the agency's health stipulations.

In a similar move last year in June, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) had distributed caution notices to all under-construction buildings, asking owners to follow necessary steps to prevent mosquito-breeding in and around their construction site. Simultaneously, a dos and don'ts notice was also given to residential societies, institutes and offices.

Subsequently the agency sent 2,284 notices to housing societies, corporate houses, institutes and under-construction buildings for allowing mosquito-breeding despite receiving an intimation to check it.

The notices were issued under Section 381 of the Mumbai Municipal Corporation Act, 1888, which allows the BMC to impose a fine of INR 2,000-10,000 on such offenders.

While the BMC is responsible for monitoring public spaces, the onus of preventing mosquito-breeding in private spaces lies on the respective owners.


BMC Monsoon Checklist for Builders:

• Ensure cleanliness and hygiene is maintained at all times across ongoing project construction sites across the city.
• Prevent water from stagnating in and around the project site.
• Ensure the immediate and thorough cleaning of areas where water is collected like worker sheds, tarpaulin and plastic sheets.
• Keep all the areas of the site well lit.
• Distribute mosquito nets and arrange for health cards for every member of the labour force.
• Appoint a competent medical officer for the benefit of workers and other staff at the construction site.
• Ensure that every new worker is checked for diseases like malaria prior to his appointment.