Why Mumbai has enforced strictest pollution control curbs
Mumbai's air quality has plunged into very poor and severe levels, triggering GRAP Stage 4 curbs in several neighbourhoods. Construction has been halted, dozens of sites face stop-work orders, and flying squads are enforcing pollution controls. Residents report burning eyes, breathing issues, and low visibility. The spike is driven by construction dust, vehicle and generator emissions, industrial pollution in areas like Mahul, and weather conditions that trap pollutants.
New Delhi: For some weeks now, Mumbai has been witnessing a pollution crisis, just like Delhi, with toxic air enveloping most parts of the city. A thick layer of smog shrouded Mumbai last Tuesday and there has been no respite from it. The air quality levels zoomed into the poor and severe category. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) scaled up emergency measures, while sounding a warning that the civic body may put in place the strictest restrictions under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP).
As the air quality continued to deteriorate through the week, the civic authorities were forced to impose GRAP Stage 4 restrictions. In several parts of the city, the air quality was recorded to be very poor and severe. The restrictions have been enforced in a number of neighbourhoods, including Mazgaon, Deonar, Malad, Borivali East, Chakala–Andheri East, Navy Nagar, Powai, and Mulund.
Several air monitoring stations have recorded readings beyond 300 at various points, and an elevated PM2.5 and PM10 levels.
What's being done?
The BMC has paused all construction and other dust-generating activities in these places. Close monitoring of a number of sites is underway. Over 50 construction sites have been served stop-work and shutdown notices. Small industries — such as bakeries and marble-cutting units — have been directed to shift to cleaner operations or face punitive action.
Flying squads have been stationed across all wards to enforce pollution-control measures and keep a track on emissions. Each squad includes engineers, police personnel, and GPS-enabled vehicles.
Earlier, the civic body had activated an emergency pollution plan.
Why was GRAP-4 imposed?
With Air Quality Index (AQI) assuming alarming levels, the civic body enforced the strictest of pollution control restrictions. Just like Delhiites, Mumbaikars are also reeling under a host of respiratory problems. Of late, they have also reported burning eyes, breathing discomfort, and sore throats. Visibility along the waterfront and on key arterial roads has reduced significantly from morning through evening.
Pressure to combat the air pollution was exerted by a number of celebrities, including actor and filmmaker Soni Razdan and comedian Vir Das. They pointed out on social media that the BMC should take immediate action, before the city turns into a gas chamber, like the Capital. Razdan had said: "Let us not be guilty of allowing apathy to kill us. Because that's what will happen."
On Monday, the city’s Congress unit rolled out a 'Mumbai Clean Air Action Plan'. The plan demands to recognise clear air as a fundamental right, monitoring of polluting activities throughout the clock, planting one million trees, and stricter pollution standards for vehicles, construction sites, and industries.
Visibility on the waterfront and across major arterial roads was markedly reduced through the morning and into the evening, with residents reporting burning eyes and breathing discomfort.
What are the key factors?
The rise in pollution can be attributed to a host of factors, including ongoing construction and road dust, vehicular emission and emission from diesel generators. Industrial pollution in fringe areas like Mahul has also led to the surge in air pollution.
Another contributor is the weather. The nights have become cooler and light winds are trapping pollutants near the surface. There's also a massive increase in electricity demand in the Maximum City and in the commercial zones.