This is an archive article published on November 19, 2023
Mumbai AQI moderate, but post-Diwali effect lingers over some pockets
"High vehicular emission, construction works or other activities may increase pollutant levels. The actual cause behind these can be identified by increasing AQI monitoring to a hyperlocal level," he added.
Written by Pratip Acharya
Mumbai | Updated: November 19, 2023 07:06 PM IST
3 min read
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Experts said that while the weather condition favours the overall AQI of Mumbai, local factors are reducing air quality in certain pockets. (Express Photo by Amit Chakravarty)
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Mumbai AQI moderate, but post-Diwali effect lingers over some pockets
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Even though Mumbai is witnessing moderate Air Quality Index (AQI), several pockets of the city are still struggling on the front with poor AQI readings.
As per Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), Mumbai’s overall AQI readings stood at a ‘moderate’ 160 on Sunday, but several pockets remained over the 200 mark. The worst was Shivaji Nagar in Mankhurd with an AQI of 244, followed by 239 in Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC), 232 in Bandra (East), 211 in Mazgaon, 205 in Byculla and 202 in Malad (West).
Borivali (East) in the western suburbs is the only pocket to record an AQI of 94, which is regarded as ‘satisfactory’.
Experts said that while the weather condition favours the overall AQI of Mumbai, local factors are reducing air quality in certain pockets.
“At present west winds are blowing from the sea towards the mainland of Mumbai which has led to improved quality of air over all in the city,” Gufran Beig, founder of System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research (SAFAR), told The Indian Express on Sunday.
Beig said that unlike Delhi, Mumbai has high humidity which allows pollutants to stay suspended in the air for longer. He also said the city’s overall daily temperature is very non uniform and several pockets show a difference in temperature by 3-4 degrees at times. These factors collectively lead to variable AQI readings.
“High vehicular emission, construction works or other activities may increase pollutant levels. The actual cause behind these can be identified by increasing AQI monitoring to a hyperlocal level,” he added.
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Unseasonal rain that relieved the city briefly, improved Mumbai’s AQI readings over two consecutive days before Diwali. Despite bursting of crackers, AQI remained within the ‘moderate’ stage, unlike last year when AQI surpassed the 300 mark.
Ronak Sutaria founder of Respirer Living India told The Indian Express that Malad and BKC were known to record high levels of AQI readings owing to traffic emissions. “Besides, given the past week was Diwali, several pockets of the city are still recording poor AQI. Borivali, however, being close to Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP), which has a high tree count, indicates the best AQI readings Mumbai can overall achieve,” Sutaria told The Indian Express.
Meanwhile, civic officials said that in the coming week, CM Eknath Shinde may visit some pockets of the city to check ongoing measures implemented to alleviate air quality. As a mitigation measure, the BMC is daily washing 240 kms of roads and by December 1, the civic body aims at washing 1,000 km of Mumbai roads.
Pratip Acharya is a seasoned journalist based in Mumbai reporting for The Indian Express. With a career spanning over a decade, his work demonstrates strong Expertise and Authority in critical urban issues, civic affairs, and electoral politics across Eastern and Western India.
Expertise & Authority
Current Role: Journalist, The Indian Express (IE), reporting from Mumbai.
Core Authority: Pratip's reporting focuses sharply on local democracy and development, specializing in:
Urban Governance and Civic Affairs: Providing in-depth analysis of municipal decision-making, city planning, and local infrastructure, essential for informed urban reporting.
City Politics and Environment: Covering the political dynamics of Mumbai and surrounding areas, alongside critical environmental challenges impacting the metro region.
Electoral Coverage (High-Stakes Experience): He has extensive experience in high-stakes political reporting, having covered major elections, establishing his Trustworthiness in political analysis:
National: Lok Sabha elections in 2014 and 2019.
State: West Bengal Assembly elections in 2016 and Maharashtra Assembly elections in 2019.
Major Assignments (Ground Reporting): Pratip demonstrated commitment during crises by conducting ground reporting throughout the Covid-19 pandemic since its breakout in 2020, offering first-hand accounts and analysis of the public health crisis.
Experience
Extensive Experience: Starting his career in 2014, Pratip has built his foundation across multiple prominent English dailies:
Started at The Times of India in Kolkata (2014).
Relocated to Mumbai (2016) and worked with The Free Press Journal and Hindustan Times before joining The Indian Express.
Pratip Acharya's diverse experience across major publications, coupled with his specialized focus on the intricate details of urban governance and a track record of covering major electoral and health crises, establishes him as a trusted and authoritative source for news from India's critical metropolitan centres. ... Read More
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