People in Mumbai are dealing with very high pollution levels, as shown by the city’s Air Quality Index (AQI). In some places, the AQI is much worse than usual. The latest weather report from the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) says Mumbai will have a cloudy day on Saturday. Morning temperatures will be cool at 18 degrees Celsius and rise to 32 degrees Celsius later in the day.
According to the Central Pollution Control Board’s SAMEER app, Mumbai’s air quality was in the ‘moderate’ category this morning, with an AQI of 160 recorded at 9:05 AM. So, why is the AQI so high? One major reason is the thick smog that has been covering the city. A former member of the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board noted that usually, the smog disappears by 9:30 AM. However, in recent days, it has stayed around until 11 AM or later.
Reasons for High Pollution in Mumbai
3. Other Factors: Besides construction and traffic, changes in wind patterns, cooler ocean surfaces, dust, and the use of bad-quality oil are also increasing the pollution levels in Mumbai.
1. Construction Activities: The large number of construction projects in the city is a big reason for the increased pollution. In 2023, there were about 6,000 construction sites. Now, that number has jumped to 11,000! The R Central ward has the most construction sites with 942, and K East and K West wards follow closely. Reports say that several skyscrapers and buildings are under construction in and around Mumbai.
2. Traffic Congestion: Mumbai has around 1.2 million private vehicles, which causes heavy traffic. This traffic slows down movement and adds to the pollution problem.
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