City's air quality 'moderate' but some pockets record 'poor' AQI

Mumbai: The air quality Index (AQI) on Sunday for Mumbai stood at 151 (moderate category). However, parts of Bandra-Kurla Complex (BKC), Mazgaon and Malad recorded 'poor' AQI as per recordings from the System for Air Quality Weather Forecasting and Research (SAFAR).

On Monday, BMC officials said CM Eknath Shinde is expected to visit a few spots in the city where washing of roads is being carried out as air pollution mitigation measure. The BMC has been washing around 240km roads every day and is using 52 tankers and misting machines. Moreover, from December 1 it is targeting to wash 1,000km roads. A BMC officer said, "We are trying to wash at least the arterial roads such as western and the eastern express highways, SV road, linking road and LBS road."

However, the washing of roads with water has been a cause of concern. Activist Anil Galgali said, "This year, before the onset of monsoons there were concerns about the depleting water stocks. If the use of water to wash roads continues, then next year again a similar situation as such might arise. The BMC should instead put a control on polluting industries, RMC plants and construction sites."

Additional municipal commissioner Suddhakar Shinde said that AQI readings for Mumbai have consistently been in the moderate category. "The BMC has been acting tough against those who are not following the air pollution guidelines. We believe that this would further help in reducing the pollution levels. Presently, we are not considering smog tower installation for Mumbai as results from other cities have not been impressive," said Shinde.

Earlier this month, the pre-Diwali showers improved Mumbai's AQI to double-digit readings on consecutive days. Despite fireworks, the city's overall AQI remained 'moderate', unlike last year's exceeding 300 (poor category).

The BMC will on Monday conduct a meeting of MMRDA, MMRCL, MHADA, SRA, National High Speed Rail Corporation Ltd (NHSRCL) which is implementing the bullet train project in BKC, and MSRDC on the need to follow air pollution mitigation guidelines meticulously.