Mumbai's present real estate construction boom has contributed to worsening air pollution. The ongoing real estate construction activity spanning approximately 3.24 crore square feet is equivalent to five times the size of Nariman Point. Since 2022, incremental construction in Mumbai has grown by 68%. This surge in construction is attributed to a government initiative in 2021 which halved premiums for developers, sparking a rush by developers to get projects approved. While this construction surge has driven housing production and the state's economy, it has come at the cost of increased pollution, with a noxious haze enveloping the city.
Mumbai has transformed into an expansive construction site, where ongoing real estate construction covers an area roughly five times the size of Nariman Point, totalling around 3.24 crore square feet. This construction frenzy has now become a significant contributor to worsening air pollution.
This boost in construction was ignited by a government initiative in 2021 that halved the hefty premiums typically paid by developers to the BMC. This discount aimed to support the construction industry severely impacted by Covid. Developers seized this opportunity, rushing to get their project approvals, paying only half of the premium.
This move was a win-win as it resulted in the BMC earning a record Rs 15,000 crore from developers. By the time this initiative concluded in January 2022, the BMC had already approved new real estate projects with a cumulative built-up area of approximately 15 crore square feet. In 2021 alone, the BMC greenlit 2,473 building projects.
The BMC approved 780 projects in the Bandra-Andheri belt and 834 in the eastern suburbs, from Mulund to Ghatkopar, and from Chembur to Kurla. The BMC's T ward (Mulund-West), contributes the most to the built-up area, with 1.5 crore square feet. Other wards containing Borivali, Bhandup, Andheri, and Parel-Dadar, each add over 1 crore square feet.
The current construction boom is largely focused on redeveloping old buildings and housing societies, where low-rise structures are replaced by towering skyscrapers. A report by Liases Foras reveals that incremental construction within the BMC's limits in Mumbai surged by 68% since 2022 and a staggering 142% from 2021. The Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) also witnessed significant growth, with a 36% increase since FY 22 and a 98% growth since FY 21.
The consequences of this construction frenzy are evident in the form of a massive, noxious haze enveloping the city. In the western suburbs, especially areas like Bandra, Khar, and Santacruz, cement and debris trucks constantly traverse narrow lanes as numerous plots undergo redevelopment.
With a significant rise in ongoing projects and associated pollution, the city faces a challenge in balancing economic growth with environmental concerns. As the city's skyline transforms, careful consideration of sustainable practices and infrastructure development becomes paramount to combat the rising haze and maintain a healthy urban environment.
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