BMC Approves ₹11.28 Crore Audit of Site Air Monitors

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) standing committee on Wednesday approved an ₹11.28-crore contract for an independent agency to audit sensor-based air quality monitors installed at construction sites across Mumbai over three years, with the exercise covering 9,000 devices.

The audit will assess whether the monitors meet technical specifications, are properly calibrated, provide accurate readings and transmit real-time data to the civic body’s central monitoring dashboard.

The approval follows a January 9, 2025, Bombay High Court order directing the installation of air quality monitors at construction sites and their integration with a central monitoring system.

Mahabal Enviro Engineers gets audit contract

The BMC has awarded the contract to Mahabal Enviro Engineers Pvt Ltd, which emerged as the lowest bidder after negotiations.

The civic body had estimated the audit cost at ₹11.10 crore. The company initially quoted ₹11.33 crore, before reducing its offer following negotiations on October 12.

The three-year audit will exclude the monsoon months and cover 3,000 installations annually.

According to the BMC proposal, an independent assessment is necessary to establish the reliability of the monitors and verify their data transmission capabilities.

The high court had directed that construction-site monitors be connected to a central monitoring system. It had also indicated that sites violating the prescribed norms could face show-cause notices or stoppage of construction work.

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Audit to examine calibration and data accuracy

The inspection programme will assess compliance with technical standards, calibration, accuracy of readings and real-time transmission of information to the BMC dashboard.

The civic body said it had made progress in installing and integrating the monitors, but an independent audit was required to verify their functioning.

The contract follows a tender process initiated through the Maharashtra government’s MahaTenders portal in July 2026. Four bids were received, of which two companies qualified in the technical evaluation.

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Congress questions delay in audit process

Congress group leader Ashraf Azmi had questioned the delay in initiating the tender process following the high court’s directive.

Azmi also raised concerns about the proposed inspection mechanism, questioning whether the agency could effectively monitor the large number of installations within the prescribed timeframe.

The BMC’s proposal states that penalties will be imposed in accordance with the terms, conditions and specifications of the e-tender.

The civic body has proposed funding the audit through its 2026-27 budgetary allocation for the operation and maintenance of machinery and equipment, or through funds received under the 15th Finance Commission.

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