Senior officials from municipal bodies across the Mumbai Metropolitan region (MMR) Tuesday took stock of the various measures being implemented to improve air quality. The fifth meeting of the coordinating committee for air pollution control was convened amid growing concerns over the deteriorating air quality index (AQI) across the MMR. At the meeting, Mumbai's Municipal Commissioner and state-appointed administrator Bhushan Gagrani reiterated the Bombay High Court directives to increase vigilance in areas where the AQI has deteriorated. The meeting, coordinated by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), brought together agencies concerned to monitor air pollution mitigation measures in their respective regions. Organised at the BMC headquarters, the meeting saw the attendance of Maharashtra Pollution Control Board member secretary Avinash Dhakne, Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) chief Kailash Shinde, Mira Bhayandar Municipal Corporation (MBMC) commissioner Sanjay Katkar amongst other officials. Calling for strict measures, Gagrani stated that special attention should be given to areas where the AQI has significantly deteriorated. "Factors contributing to air pollution within 5 km of that area should be paid close attention to. Air pollution control is the collective responsibility of all agencies in the Mumbai metropolitan area," he said. The coordination committee was set up under the chairmanship of the BMC commissioner, to control air pollution control in the MMR, in accordance with HC direction.
