Mumbai: BMC lowers the building site tin sheet height restriction to 25 feet due to concerns about structural stability.

Mumbai: After considerable deliberation and in response to requests from multiple developers and architects regarding concerns regarding the structural stability of the sheets, the BMC has decided to reduce the height rule for tin sheets at construction sites from the originally proposed 35 feet to 25 feet.

As per the guidelines released by the BMC on October 25, it is mandatory for project proponents to erect tin metal sheets, at least 35 feet high, around construction projects that surpass a height of 70 meters.

However, Minish Pimple, the deputy municipal commissioner for the environment, stated on Monday that the height of the tin sheets will be lowered to 25 feet, though a formal order in this regard has not yet been issued. We advise using a green cloth above that height instead.

The current on-site challenges, where most buildings have limited space between the basement and plot boundary, were brought to light by PEATA’s former president, architect Shirish Sukhatme. “Significant lateral pressure and a large amount of foundation space are needed to erect a tall sheet.

It is necessary to take into account the wind load, nearby traffic, and worker safety. The durability of the sheet is essential for averting potentially fatal situations. In addition, Suktame stated that although the required green cloth complies with regulations, it causes discomfort for employees due to its increased heat in the cramped workspace.

In the meantime, the BMC suggested that Mhada, SRA, and MMRDA form their own flying squads to monitor construction site violations that were listed by the civic body on October 25 during a meeting with various government authorities on Monday.

“According to SRA officials, construction sites that do not follow air pollution guidelines are already receiving stop-work notices. In order to ensure that the established protocols are consistently followed, we have also asked them to continue routinely monitoring the locations,” a BMC representative stated.

The majority of the 343 stop-work notices that the BMC has issued to projects that have violated air pollution mitigation guidelines thus far are located in the K-East (Andheri East) and H-East (Kalina and Vakola) wards.

According to officials, ward officers were instructed to act strictly during the meeting on Monday and, if necessary, to file a police complaint in the event that a developer does not stop working after receiving a stop-work notice.