The overall air quality in Mumbai continued to remain in the ‘moderate’ category on Thursday morning though a few areas in the city witnessed higher pollution with the air quality index (AQI) falling into the ‘poor’ category. The overall air quality index (AQI) stood at 126, as per the System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting And Research (SAFAR-India) data.

According to the monitored data at 10 AM, the AQI at Colaba was recorded at 77 in the ‘satisfactory’ category while the AQI in Bandra Kurla Complex (Kalanagar) stood at 193.

As per the latest data of the Central Pollution Control Board, Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport recorded an AQI of 129, Kandivali East at 130, Kurla at 132, Mazagaon at 163, and Worli at 105, indicating air quality in the ‘moderate’ category.

Meanwhile, regions such as Kandivali West and Malad West stood in the ‘poor’ category with an AQI of 202 and 248, respectively.

In view of the persisting pollution in the city, Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has issued a stop-work notice to 70 real estate projects. However, 370 real estate projects have been served precautionary warnings after failing to match up with the air pollution guidelines. Earlier in October, the authorities had issued certain air pollution guidelines to curb the quality.

As reported by Moneycontrol, the Chief Operating Officer (COO) of the Confederation of Real Estate Developers’ Associations (CREDAI-MCHI), Keval Valambhia said, “There are more than 370 real estate projects that have received precautionary warning notices and nearly 70 have got notices for not complying with the air pollution guidelines of the BMC, have got stop-work notices.”

He added, “While we are committed to complying with guidelines, we request the government authorities to intervene as there is an acute shortage of several items required by us to follow the guidelines.”

Meanwhile, the city has been witnessing signs of showers while the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a ‘yellow’ alert for Mumbai, Thane and Palghar for November 22. Currently, the maximum temperature in the city has been predicted to be around 36 degrees Celsius, while the minimum temperature will be hovering around 24 degrees Celsius.

(Edited by : Sudarsanan Mani)