The Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) has failed to take note of the large-scale construction activity across the city and flouting of the Construction and Demolition (C&D) Waste Management Rules, 2016.
The deteriorating air quality in the city has already worried sick citizens and activists alike, but the MPCB has refused to acknowledge the problem. Being a fast-developing and expanding city, there are numerous civil construction projects in Aurangabad, including public infrastructure projects, private housing projects and individual constructions.
The rules mandate that steps be taken to control dust at the construction and demolition sites. It suggests covering of the debris, sprinkling water from sewage treatment plants and tarring the roads leading to the construction sites for dust control and recognises health hazards due to dust emission.
According to environmental activist Syed Asif, the construction and demolition activities were taking a toll on the city’s air quality. “The dust from the debris and cement constitutes particulate matter, leading to rise in PM2.5 and PM 10 levels. It is advised to use water sprinklers to control dust at such sites, but it is not followed. The construction activities go unchecked by the MPCB,” said Asif. He said that MPCB field officers are few as compared to the demographics of the city.
Kishor Pathak, a homeopathic doctor and also an environmental expert, said that the rules have been shelved. He said that pollutants emerging from C&D activities are much harmful than earthen dust.
“The C&D dust enters the respiratory system and causes conjunctivitis, silicosis, allergic rhinitis, allergic pharyngitis, which manifests into bronchitis and asthma later. The dust also settles on water sources like wells, which if consumed, can lead to digestive problems. Moreover, the cement particles settling on soil reduces its fertility,” said Pathak.
When reached for a comment, MPCB regional officer Anil Mohekar said that the C&D Waste Management Rules 2016 were being followed in the city. The officer also said that the city’s air quality was good. Interestingly, the Central Pollution Control Board has listed Aurangabad among the 102 most polluted cities in India, due to the high PM 10 levels over a period of 5 years.
