Mumbai witnessed a significant improvement in air quality on Sunday as the city's overall Air Quality Index (AQI) dropped to 105, marking steady progress from the previous day's reading of 124 and a substantial recovery from last week's spike to 198.
Station-wise Air Quality Breakdown
According to data from the 26 monitoring stations operated by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), only one location reported 'poor' air quality levels. Bandra-Kurla Complex (BKC) recorded an AQI of 217, placing it in the 'poor' category while nearly twelve stations showed 'satisfactory' air quality readings.
The areas that demonstrated the cleanest air with AQI below 100 included multiple locations across the city. Vile Parle registered exactly 100, while Worli and Kurla both recorded 96. Other better-performing areas included Chakala (95), Mazgaon (88), Mulund West (86), Borivli East (82), with Colaba (59), Powai (58), and Sion (52) showing the best air quality readings.
Understanding AQI Categories and Pollution Patterns
The Air Quality Index categorizes readings between 0-50 as 'good', 51-100 as 'satisfactory', 101-200 as 'moderate', 201-300 as 'poor', 301-400 as 'very poor', and anything above 400 as 'severe'. Mumbai's current moderate rating at 105 indicates breathing discomfort for people with lung, asthma, and heart diseases.
Weather expert Rajesh Kapadia, who runs the private blog Vagaries of the Weather, explained the scientific reason behind Mumbai's pollution patterns. "Temperature inversion is the real culprit behind Mumbai's hazy skies," he stated, dismissing common blame on smoke, construction dust, vehicle fumes, or distant volcanic ash.
Kapadia elaborated that this weather phenomenon occurs when warm air sits above cooler air near the ground, creating a lid effect that traps pollution. With no vertical mixing possible, dust, smoke, and emissions remain locked at surface level, causing haze, reduced visibility, and breathing difficulties. Clear nights, coastal winds, and winter conditions intensify these inversions, making them more frequent in Mumbai.
Local Concerns and Construction Impact
The ongoing construction of Metro Line 4 on LBS Marg has been identified as a significant contributor to air quality issues in certain areas. Local BJP MLA Mihir Kotecha specifically pointed to this project as the chief reason for poor AQI in Mulund over recent days.
On Saturday, Kotecha conducted an inspection of a 2-kilometer stretch from Mulund Check Naka to Dr Hedgewar chowk, accompanied by officials from MMRDA and BMC's T ward. "Dust and waste from Metro 4 is the single largest contributor to the spike in AQI," Kotecha asserted.
The MLA highlighted that for the past four to five months, piles of scrap, cement-concrete blocks, soil, sand, and debris have been accumulating on roads, effectively turning the area into a dumping yard. He also noted damage to adjoining footpaths and identified approximately 100 spots where debris remains strewn.
Kotecha raised concerns about the execution of the Rs 500 crore contract awarded to D B Enterprises, questioning the visible expenditure on debris removal and footpath reinstatement. However, he confirmed that MMRDA commissioner Sanjay Mukherjee has assured appropriate action to address these environmental concerns.
