Mumbai has breached the safety limits for air quality on most days of in November and December last year, revealed a report by city-based environmental organisation.
As per Waatavaran report, for 50 out of the 61 days in the last two months of 2024, as many as 10 out of 33 Continous Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Stations (CAAQMS) in Mumbai exceeded the permissible limit for PM2.5.
No of days with poor AQI area-wise data:
Borivali East and Malad West - 90% (55 days)
Bandra Kurla Complex and Navy Nagar Colaba - 87% (53 days)
Chembur - 84%
Mazagaon & Kherwadi in Bandra East - 80%
During the last two months, out of the 10 locations, Malad recorded the worst average AQI of 89.65 ug/m3, followed by 84.12 ug/m3 at Borivali (East), 82.45 ug/m3 at Navy Nagar (Colaba) and 76.56 ug/m3 at Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC), report stated.
The report further highlighted that PM2.5 levels peaked during the first week of November, with meteorological factors playing a significant role. December rains briefly cleared pollutants, preventing worse outcomes.
On January 1, the BMC enforced a blanket stop on construction in Borivali East and Byculla under GRAP-4. However, experts argue that more area-specific and source-based strategies are needed year-round because air pollution remains among the top 10 health hazards.
For the unversed, PM2.5, or fine particulate matter, is a dangerous pollutant that can enter the blood system and lungs, causing cardiovascular and respiratory disease, and cancers.
According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), maximum Air Quality Index (AQI) reading of 60 ug/m3 is considered to be the threshold of safety standards.
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