Building sites under scanner for ‘masking' air pollution data

Time of India

5 days ago

Ahmedabad: Some developers are literally throwing dust in Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation's (AMC) eyes, first by flouting rules on air pollution management norms at their sites, and then by covering up their act.
Under rules introduced in 2023, AMC had mandated, among other measures, that air quality sensors to monitor PM10 levels be installed at all construction sites larger than 10,000sq m. Currently, over 100 sites have sensors that feed real time data to AMC.
The civic body, however got suspicious when readings from some sites were unusually low and too good to be true — they consistently reported PM10 levels below 50, pointing to a cover-up.
And, cover up it was, AMC's investigations revealed. At many sites, the sensors were found wrapped with a wet cloth to manipulate the readings.
An AMC official requesting anonymity said, "In 2023, the corporation implemented a new policy to curb air pollution from construction sites. It became mandatory to install air quality sensors for approving construction plans for sites larger than 10,000sq m. As of July 2025, 100 sites have such sensors.
If pollution levels rise, builders are to be notified, and fines imposed for repeated violations."
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"Ideally, PM10 levels at construction sites should remain below 60, and first, some sites showed PM10 levels as high as 300, prompting us to instruct developers to take action," he said.
The official added, "In recent months, some construction sites have reported unusually low PM10 levels, suggesting sensor tampering.
Specifically, some sites have been found wrapping wet cloths around sensors to manipulate the readings, but catching this is challenging. Efforts are underway to prevent such tampering."
The rules from 2023 also include mandatory barricades and sufficient height screens around ongoing construction sites, covering loose materials, and spraying water to prevent dust from rising.
Proper paving of roads at construction sites have been ordered, and measures to prevent mud or nuisance from vehicle tyres are emphasised.
The rules include instructions to ensure vehicle wheel cleaning and to prevent damage to roads or sidewalks by heavy vehicles. Debris disposal at designated collection centres has also been mandated.
Recently, AMC announced that its Air Quality Management Cell is developing a software for complaint management as the city lacks a separate system to address air pollution complaints. In June, AMC's standing commitee extended the term of the agency it had hired to consult on air pollution by another year. The new term now ends on April 30, 2026.