BMC Mumbai

Circular: MGC/F/6526
Applicability: All construction sites within BMC limits

The BMC has a two-part rule for installing Air Quality Monitors in construction projects, based on the total project cost. Construction projects with an estimated cost of less than ₹500 crore must install an ambient air quality monitoring (AQM) sensor that complies with Annexure A and is one of the pre-qualified makes and models identified in Annexure B (unless prior approval is obtained for another sensor). All construction projects with a total estimated project cost greater than ₹500 crore must install reference-grade Continuous Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Stations (CAAQMS) abiding by the CPCB's Technical Specifications for CAAQMS; this entails much higher technical and financial requirements for air quality monitoring.

Key Technical Requirements:

Real-time PM2.5 and PM10 monitoring
Fault notification and resolution within a stipulated time
Continuous transmission of monitoring data to BMC's centralized Command & Control system

Enforcement: Non-compliance may result in a stop notice and other penal action. BMC has an approved vendor list; only sensors from listed manufacturers are accepted for compliance purposes.

PMC Pune

Circular: Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC), dated 15 December 2025
Applicability: All projects with a built-up area of 5,000 sq. m or more, both new and ongoing

PMC Pune's mandate is the most detailed of the confirmed circulars, with a complete technical annexure specifying sensor performance, installation criteria, data protocols, and maintenance obligations.

Key Technical Requirements:

PM2.5 and PM10 monitoring: 0–1,000 µg/m³ range, R²>0.7 accuracy, response time under 10 seconds
Temperature and relative humidity monitoring are mandatory alongside PM
GSM/4G cellular connectivity is also mandatory, along with Wi-Fi
Real-time monitoring with data transmitted to the PMC Command & Control Center every 10 minutes
Local SD card storage for a minimum of 6 months, with zero data loss during network outages
IP65 enclosure or above
Every sensor must undergo a minimum 15-day co-location study with a reference-grade monitor before deployment
Sensors shall be replaced at the end of their 30-month service life
Sensors should be calibrated every 3 months against a reference-grade monitor, followed by a 15-day co-location study.
The monitoring system must automatically detect offline or faulty devices every 6 hours. Faults that can be resolved on-site are to be addressed within 6 hours, while devices requiring replacement must be changed within 24 hours.
LED display mandatory at site entrance, showing PM10 color-coded severity levels on a 15-minute running average

PM10 LED Color Codes (15-minute average):

0–100 µg/m³ → Green
101–350 µg/m³ → Yellow
351–430 µg/m³ → Orange
430+ µg/m³ → Red

Installation Requirements:

Height: 3–5 meters above ground
Position: downwind side of site, 3–5 meters inside site boundary
Airflow: minimum 270° unobstructed

Enforcement: Enforcement through inspections and applicable actions under PMC directions for non-compliance.

NMMC Navi Mumbai

Framework: 27-point Standard Operating Procedure for Air Pollution Control at Construction Sites, 2024
Applicability: All construction sites within NMMC limits

Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) has a strong enforcement-led approach among all municipal corporations in Maharashtra. Currently, under NMMC's SOPs, construction companies are mandated to install sensor-based devices to monitor air quality at all their sites, and enforcement has already begun.

According to the latest available enforcement statistics, NMMC has issued 19 work-halt orders to construction companies and fined 173 developers for failing to comply with air-quality monitoring requirements.

Thane

Direction: Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) Order No. MPCB/JD(APC)/B-0218, dated 7 February 2025
Applicability: All construction sites within the jurisdiction of Thane Municipal Corporation

Unlike Mumbai, Pune and Navi Mumbai, Thane does not have a standalone municipal circular recommending specifications for construction air-quality monitoring. Instead, construction sites are governed by the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board's (MPCB) direction issued to Thane Municipal Corporation and other Urban Local Bodies (ULBs). This requires construction sites to deploy sensor-based air pollution monitors, making data available to authorities on demand, and ensure monitoring devices are centrally connected in accordance with the Bombay High Court's order.

Key Requirements:

Mandatory deployment of sensor-based air pollution monitors at all construction sites
Monitoring data must be available for inspection
Central connectivity of monitoring devices
BIS standards to be followed until CPCB issues standard guidelines

Enforcement: Local authorities are directed to ensure compliance, with non-compliant construction sites liable for regulatory action, including closure until compliance is achieved.

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