Mumbai, Oct. 13 -- Following numerous complaints from residents of Hiranandani Gardens in Powai regarding noise and air pollution owing to the ongoing redevelopment of CitiPark, the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) last month issued a show cause notice to the developer, asking why a stop work order should not be issued over alleged violation of pollution control guidelines. The project, being executed by Vrihis Properties Pvt Ltd, a constituent of realty firm BGRE (formerly Brookfield Properties), involves redevelopment of a two-storey structure on a nearly four-acre plot into a tower comprising three basements, ground floor and 18 upper floors. In the notice dated September 24, the MPCB flagged four instances of non-compliance with pollution norms based on a site inspection on September 22. The violations pertained to use of hydraulic breakers and high-reach excavators for demolition, lack of acoustic enclosures, noise levels exceeding permissible limits, and the absence of a no objection certificate from the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) for disposal of construction and demolition waste. According to the notice, the noise level at Glen Gate, a residential building adjacent to the project site, was 77.9 decibels, whereas according to MPCB norms, the maximum permissible noise limit in residential areas is 55 dB during the day. Citing these violations, the MPCB sought an explanation from the developer regarding why a stop work order should not be issued, why water and electricity supply should not be disconnected, and why legal action should not be initiated under relevant environmental laws. The MPCB's show cause notice followed a September 16 complaint by Debi Goenka, a Powai resident and executive trustee of the Conservation Action Trust, who alleged that noise levels in the area had reached 83 decibels. Other Powai residents said they too had complained about noise and air pollution to the BMC and police on multiple occasions, as more than 10 residential buildings in the vicinity of the project were affected. Mamta Ashtana, a resident of Glen Heights, said, "The problem is not that they want to develop the property. But a company of this scale should at least exercise due diligence to ensure that residents are not inconvenienced." Ashtana said incessant noise and dust had forced her to keep her apartment windows shut while the use of flood lights at the site led to light pollution at night. Ashwini Tuljapurkar, a resident of Octavious, said the noise pollution from the site was relentless. "Mitigation guidelines and rules must be followed since this is a residential area," she said. A BGRE spokesperson said a detailed response to the notice had been submitted to the MPCB within the required timeline....