BMC discusses implementation of GRAP measures as several Mumbai pockets record poor AQI
The overall plan is divided into multiple stages which includes stoppage of construction works, banning entry of vehicles inside city limits and limiting vehicular movement.
Mumbai's AQI has been hovering around the moderate category for the past one month, while several pockets have been recording poor AQI continuously. (Express Photo by Amit Chakravarty)
Amid growing concerns of worsening Air Quality Index (AQI) in Mumbai, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) are mooting decisions to stop ongoing construction works in some of the pockets in Mumbai. Earlier on November 25, in a meeting chaired by Mumbai’s municipal commissioner – Bhushan Gagrani – the civic administration had tabled the idea of imposing Graded Action Response Plan (GRAP) measures to mitigate the growing concern of air quality.
The GRAP mechanism is an action response that has been designed by the Commission of Air Quality Management (CAQM). The overall plan is divided into multiple stages which includes stoppage of construction works, banning entry of vehicles inside city limits and limiting vehicular movement.
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In the November 25 meeting, it was discussed that if Mumbai continues to record poor AQI readings above 200 for three consecutive days, then the civic authorities may impose the GRAP mechanism. Meanwhile, it has also been discussed that if any particular area continues to record poor AQI relentlessly then local level interventions like stoppage of construction works will be initiated in the area.
On Wednesday, as many as 10 out of the 21 air quality monitoring stations in Mumbai recorded poor AQI. Out of which nine of them recorded moderate AQI, while only one station recorded satisfactory readings. Mazgaon recorded the worst AQI of 269, followed by 265 at Mulund, 250 at Malad and Borivali, 214 at Powai, 205 at Andheri and 204 at Deonar, among other places. Mumbai’s overall AQI stood at 189 – which is regarded as moderate.
Mumbai’s AQI has been hovering around the moderate category for the past one month, while several pockets have been recording poor AQI continuously.
For example, Mazgaon has recorded poor AQI for nearly 11 days now, followed by Deonar which has recorded poor AQI in 14 days so far this month and Malad has recorded 12 poor AQI days in 12 days.
“We are compiling data of the number of construction works that are underway in these locations. By tomorrow morning we will issue an SOP as a mitigation measure against the bad AQI,” an official told the Indian Express on Wednesday.
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The authorities said that over the past week, notices have been issued to construction site owners to install hyperlocal AQI monitoring systems. The authorities maintained that all construction sites in Mumbai will have to install these sensors to ensure that the dust mitigation measures are being observed.
Meanwhile, experts stated that when winds start to cool down, it becomes heavy and due to the combined effect of slow wind speed, the pollutants remain suspended in the lower atmosphere for a prolonged period of time, creating a smog and mist like condition.
“Once the temperature starts dropping, the wind pattern gets slowed down due to which the suspended particulate matter stays trapped in the atmosphere for a prolonged period of time. The city’s air quality has already started to dip, after the monsoon withdrawal took place mainly because when the rains are there, a natural cleansing of the atmosphere takes place and the atmosphere stays free of pollution. That is why the AQI improved after the unseasonal rains came and now since the rain is not there anymore, AQI is plummeting,” said Mahesh Palawat–vice president of meteorology, Skymet weathers.
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
