The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) will soon launch deep cleaning drives across Mumbai as an immediate measure to control rising air pollution. These drives will include activities such as road washing using tanker water and the deployment of misting machines.

With the withdrawal of the monsoon, Mumbai is witnessing a sudden change in weather conditions. Temperatures are gradually rising, and the Air Quality Index (AQI) has deteriorated. According to data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), Mumbai’s AQI on Sunday, October 12 was recorded at 153 (Moderate), a significant increase from 94 (Satisfactory) on Thursday, October 9.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) declared the withdrawal of the monsoon over Mumbai and parts of Maharashtra on Friday, October 10, following more than 48 hours without rainfall and a decrease in atmospheric moisture. Since the rainfall ceased, the AQI has worsened. Officials attribute this sudden decline in air quality primarily to the resumption of construction activities post-monsoon.

For context, the AQI scale is classified as follows:
– 0-50: Good
– 51-100: Satisfactory
– 101-200: Moderate
– 201-300: Poor
– 301-400: Very Poor
– 401-450: Severe
– Above 450: Severe Plus

BMC Environment Department officials shared that Municipal Commissioner Bhushan Gagrani conducted a review meeting on Friday to discuss air pollution mitigation measures. Among the directives issued was the mandatory display of AQI tracking boards outside all construction sites in Mumbai.

Currently, out of approximately 1,200 construction sites in the city, only 450 have installed AQI displays. The Commissioner also plans to hold coordination meetings with other agencies, including MMRDA, MHADA, and SRA, to review joint efforts aimed at controlling air pollution in Mumbai.

In addition to these measures, the BMC Environment department is close to finalizing the procurement of 29 multi-purpose machines costing Rs 57 crores. These machines will feature water jetting, misting, and cleaning capabilities. It is expected that by next month, these machines will be deployed across city roads, complementing the already hired water misting machines.

Furthermore, the BMC is in the process of issuing showcause notices to bakeries in Mumbai that have yet to switch from coal and wood to green fuels, as mandated by a Bombay High Court order. Bakeries still using coal and wood are considered major contributors to the city’s air pollution.

Regarding weather conditions, the maximum and minimum temperatures recorded on Sunday at the Colaba observatory were 33.1°C and 24.8°C, respectively, while Santacruz observed temperatures of 34.2°C (max) and 22.5°C (min). The forecast for the next 48 hours predicts clear skies, sunny weather, and temperatures remaining in a similar range across Mumbai city and its suburbs.

Some of the areas with the poorest AQI levels in Mumbai on Sunday, according to CPCB data, included:
– Deonar: 225
– Bandra Kurla Complex: 195
– Kandivali West: 176
– Malad West: 184
– Mazgaon: 177
– Andheri East: 166
– Ghatkopar: 156

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