To curb air pollution in Mumbai, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has formulated the ‘Air Pollution Control and Implementation Action Plan-2026’. The objective of this plan is to implement effective measures against various sources of pollution and take strict action against violators.

Under the guidance of Mumbai Mayor Ritu Tawde, Deputy Mayor Sanjay Ghadi, and Municipal Commissioner Ashwini Bhide, Assistant Commissioners of all administrative wards have been directed to implement the ‘Air Pollution Control and Implementation Action Plan-2026’.

Under this action plan, at least 10 air pollution hotspots will be identified in each administrative ward, and an updated list accompanied by maps will be prepared. These hotspots will include major construction and redevelopment projects, infrastructure works, sites of open waste burning, debris dumping grounds, and traffic congestion zones. A designated officer will be appointed for each hotspot to ensure regular monitoring.

Controlling Pollution at Construction Sites
The existing 28-point guidelines for construction and demolition sites will be strictly enforced. Construction sites found violating these norms will be issued ‘show-cause’ and ‘stop-work’ notices; if necessary, action will also be taken to seal the premises. Each inspection team has been directed to inspect at least two construction sites daily. During demolition work, the installation of proper barricades, covering the site with tarpaulins or green netting, and continuous fine water spraying will be mandatory.

Special cleaning drive to reduce road dust:
A ‘Post-Monsoon Deep Cleaning Drive’ will be conducted during the first and second weeks of October to remove the soil, mud, and dust that accumulated on roads following the monsoon. Special cleaning operations will be carried out on major roads, medians, intersections, and road shoulders. Where necessary, roads will be washed with recycled water or treated with a fine water spray.

It is now mandatory for developers or contractors to keep adjacent roads clean in proportion to the size of the construction site. Roads must be kept clean for a distance of up to 100 meters for projects up to 4,000 square meters, up to 200 meters for projects between 4,000 and 10,000 square meters, and up to 500 meters on both sides for projects larger than 10,000 square meters. Regulations for Debris-Carrying Vehicles
Vehicles transporting debris from construction and demolition activities must be fully covered, and their wheels must be cleaned before entering public roads. The transportation and disposal of debris will be managed through the ‘Mumbai Debris Control and Tracking System’ (MDCTS). Instructions have also been issued to ensure that concrete or other materials do not spill onto roads from ‘Ready-Mix Concrete’ (RMC) vehicles.

Open Burning of Waste and Vehicular Pollution
Strict action will be taken against the open burning of waste across Mumbai. Such incidents will be monitored by ward-level marshals and CCTV surveillance systems. Furthermore, special ‘PUC’ (Pollution Under Control) inspection drives will be conducted on major traffic routes and high-congestion areas, and action will be taken against vehicles emitting visible smoke, in accordance with regulations.

Additional Measures in Case of Rising Air Quality Index (AQI)
The Air Quality Index will be continuously monitored, and measures under the ‘Graded Response Action Plan’ (GRAP) will be implemented based on the situation. If the AQI exceeds 200, measures such as deep cleaning, road washing (where necessary), water sprinkling, misting, and a strict ban on open waste burning will be enforced in the affected areas. Arrangements have also been made to halt polluting activities within a 2-kilometer radius of a monitoring station if the AQI remains above 300 for three consecutive days.

To ensure Mumbai’s air remains clean and eco-friendly, the implementation of this comprehensive action plan will be regularly reviewed at the ward level. Furthermore, Additional Municipal Commissioner (Eastern Suburbs) Dr. Avinash Dhakne has directed that necessary precautionary and enforcement measures be taken against major sources of air pollution.

Bollywood actor Dino Morea arrived at the Mumbai Police Commissioner’s office in connection with the Mithi River scandal, where he is being questioned regarding alleged corruption.

Dino Morea had been in the headlines recently due to the Mithi River scandal. The actor arrived at the Commissioner’s office on Friday to record his statement regarding the case. Although media personnel attempted to speak with him, he entered the Mumbai Police Commissioner’s office without saying a word.
It is worth noting that Dino Morea has previously been questioned regarding the Mithi River scandal. The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) is recording the Bollywood actor’s statement; the EOW had already questioned him about this matter in the past.

What is the entire matter?
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is implicated in the Mithi River scandal. The BMC discovered a financial loss of ₹65.54 crore related to the river’s maintenance and cleaning operations. Following revelations of fraudulent tendering, an individual named Ketan Kadam was arrested. Kadam had been in contact with Dino’s brother, Santino Rocco Morea, and it is reported that a financial exchange took place between them.

It is alleged that financial transactions also occurred involving Dino Morea’s accounts. Consequently, the EOW questioned the actor on May 26, 2025, and again on May 28, 2025. On June 12, 2025, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) interrogated Dino Morea for several hours. Furthermore, the ED conducted raids at multiple locations, including the actor’s residence. The actor’s brother was also questioned.

Dino Morea’s Career
The 50-year-old Dino Morea made his Bollywood debut in 1999 with the film Pyaar Mein Kabhi Kabhi. However, he gained significant recognition with the 2002 film Raaz. The actor has worked in films such as Housefull 5, Happy New Year, Baaz, Aksar, Plan, and Gunaah. He also appeared in the popular web series Tandav.

Mumbai, Oct 2: Hours before its scheduled protest at Mumbai Shivaji Park, Cockroach Janata Party’s (CJP) leaders on Friday asserted that they are “prepared to go to jail if it can ensure accountability” for Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, amid “vote theft” allegations against him.

CJP chief Abhijeet Dipke had earlier announced the agitation to demand the resignation of the CEC.

Speaking to media, CJP co-convener Ashutosh Ranka said: “If going to jail can bring back the votes of 13 crore people, and if going to jail can ensure accountability for Gyanesh Kumar, then we are absolutely ready to go to jail. Gyanesh Kumar is the biggest traitor in this country; he is responsible for 13 crore voters being struck off the voter list. No one has committed a greater betrayal in this country so far.”

“Just like the previous agitation, we won’t back down till our demands are met,” he asserted.

CJP co-convener Saurav Das added: “There was such a massive movement across the country against (then-Union Education Minister) Dharmendra Pradhan, in which the youth came out in very large numbers. We saw the spirit of Mumbai on such a large scale after many years. So, we thought that this time we should come to Mumbai again and start from here.”

Urging people to join the agitation in large numbers, he said: “Today is the auspicious day of Gandhi Jayanti, and I appeal to the youth of the country to unite once again, just as they did during Jantar Mantar 1.0. It should be a grand agitation aimed at saving the country. Whatever changes we aim to bring into the nation will not be possible if our vote is stolen…we have to come together against this conspiracy against the youth.”

Das also claimed that attempts have been made by workers linked to the BJP to hamper the planned agitation.

“The BJP people have sent some workers. We have also provided pictures of the same…No local resident or any citizen of the country would be against this protest because nobody wants their votes to be stolen or their rights to be violated,” he told reporters.

Das stated that CJP has submitted an intimation to the Mumbai Police, saying: “They are a professional force. I believe there will be mutual cooperation from their end as well as ours.”

“The protest will be held in a peaceful manner, and from here the pan-India agitation will be kicked off,” he added.

CJP leader Sidhant Bhardwaj highlighted that people started gathering at the protest venue hours before the scheduled time of 4 p.m.

“The enthusiasm among the people is the same as it was at Jantar Mantar. These are the people who have come to save the country. Even if they belong to different state, city or villages, their spirit and their respect for the country remain the same. That is why a large number of people have already gathered here even before the agitation began,” Bhardwaj told media.

Expecting more people to join the protest, he said: “We are expecting a minimum of 40,000–50,000 people today, and it could possibly go beyond one lakh.”