Mumbai Battles Pollution: A Call to Action

Maharashtra's Environment Minister, Pankaja Munde, addresses Mumbai's worsening air quality, which falls in the 'unhealthy for sensitive groups' category. Construction activities and cold weather exacerbate the situation. The BMC has activated emergency measures to combat pollution, including halting construction in severely affected areas.

Mumbai's air quality has become a significant cause for concern as the city's Environment Minister, Pankaja Munde, held a high-level meeting to address the issue. On January 1, the Air Quality Index reached 175, a 'poor' category rating, slightly improving to 153 the following day.

Despite the slight improvement, Munde noted that the air quality poses a risk for sensitive groups due to high levels of particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10). Construction activities, particularly large-scale residential and infrastructure projects, are significant contributors to the pollution crisis.

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has implemented GRAP 4 measures as a response, suspending construction work in areas with alarming AQI readings. These actions are part of a strategy to address the city's air pollution problems effectively.

(With inputs from agencies.)