The Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) will add 15 new continuous ambient air quality monitoring system (CAAQMS) stations in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) before the winter season. This move is part of a plan to strengthen the air monitoring network across Mumbai and its nearby cities.
Sources suggest that each new station will cost INR 9 crore. The new stations will be set up in key urban areas. Mira-Bhayander, Ulhasnagar, and Bhiwandi-Nizampur will each get two stations. Thane, Vasai-Virar, and Kalyan-Dombivali will each get three.
Mumbai has 26 active air quality monitoring stations, according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) dashboard. These stations are managed by the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM), the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), and the MPCB.
However, most of the MMR has very limited coverage. There is growing concern about the worsening Air Quality Index (AQI) in Mumbai and surrounding districts.
As of now, Thane has two stations located at Kasarvadavali and Upvan Fort. Other locations like Bhiwandi (Gokul Nagar), Kalyan (Khadakpada), Ulhasnagar (Siddhi Vinayak Nagar), Virar (Vilanj), and Mira-Bhayander (Bhayander West) have just one each. Dombivli has no station at all.
An official from MPCB told The Indian Express that the work order has already been issued. The stations will start arriving next month. The goal is to use this data to identify areas with poor air quality and take action before the winter, when pollution usually gets worse.
Winter pollution levels have become a serious issue in recent years. From November 2022 to January 2023, Mumbai recorded around 60 days of poor AQI out of 92. Interestingly, BMC released the Mumbai Air Pollution Mitigation Plan (MAPMP) last year, listing major pollution sources such as road dust, garbage burning, and construction activities.
Share
Tweet
