Falling Air Quality in Mumbai: Why India’s Financial Capital is Choking
Mumbai, which is known as the financial capital of India, is facing severe air pollution nowadays. Recently, the Air Quality Index (AQI) has crossed the levels that are normally seen in different parts of the city.
Effect of current situation and weather
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Mumbai will remain partly cloudy on Saturday, with temperatures ranging from 18 degrees Celsius in the morning to 32 degrees Celsius during the day. Mumbai’s AQI has reached 160, which is now in the ‘moderate’ category, according to a report on Central Pollution Control Board’s SAMEER app at 9:05 am.
Why Mumbai’s AQI is Unacceptable
The main reason for the increase in pollution:
1. Construction activities – The ongoing heavy construction activities in Mumbai, such as the metro project and other infrastructure developments, are a major cause of deterioration in air quality. 6,000 manufacturing sites were active in 2023, but now this number has increased to over 11,000.
- R Central Ward: 942 construction sites
- K East Ward: 933 construction sites
- K West Ward: 815 construction site
- Besides, many skyscrapers are under construction in Thane and Navi Mumbai, which are contributing to pollution.
2. Increasing pressure of vehicles – Mumbai has about 1.2 million private vehicles, which add to the problem of traffic jams and slow-moving traffic. It is one of the major sources of pollution.
3. Other reasons – Besides the above factors, there are many other reasons for a drop in Mumbai’s air quality. These are:
- Change in wind pattern
- A drop in sea surface temperature
- Suspended dust particles
- Use of contaminated oil
What Can Be Done to Improve Mumbai’s AQI
Strict policies and measures are needed to control air pollution in Mumbai. Enforcing strict regulations on construction sites, promoting alternative means of transportation, and controlling other sources of pollution, such as the use of contaminated oil, have become imperative.
Keeping a metropolis like Mumbai healthy and clean is everyone’s collective responsibility. Administration, industry and citizens, all must unite to tackle this problem.
