The air quality in Mumbai continued to persist in the ‘moderate’ category while the overall air quality index (AQI) in the city stood at 127 on Friday morning. According to the System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research (SAFAR) data, Colaba reported a relatively lower AQI of 109 in the moderate category, while other regions displayed varying pollution levels.

The air quality across different parts of Mumbai presents a varied picture, with Andheri recording AQI at 110, Malad at 159, BKC at 173, Borivali at 151, Mazagaon at 150, and Navi Mumbai at 144, all falling within the ‘moderate’ category. Conversely, Worli stands out with a notably lower AQI of 86, categorized as ‘satisfactory.’

Responding to an improvement in air quality, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has partially lifted restrictions on the transportation of debris and construction material, according to a report by Hindustan Times. This decision comes after the Bombay High Court had earlier issued a directive to halt transportation due to worsening air quality.

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Ashwini Joshi, additional municipal commissioner (city), stated, “We have decided to allow transportation of construction and debris by covering them using tarpaulin on trucks as accumulated material leads to more dust.”

In a meeting held on November 20 with representatives from various civic bodies, concerns were raised about the impact of debris stockpiling on the progress of crucial infrastructure projects. The municipal commissioner agreed in principle to allow transportation, with strict adherence to the guidelines, the report added.

The HC, in a suo motu public interest litigation (PIL), had directed the BMC not to permit transportation of debris and construction materials from November 6 to 19, allowing them only if the AQI showed signs of improvement.

Mumbai has experienced smog-filled mornings in recent weeks due to a spike in air pollution. The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) predicts clear sunny skies in the city and suburbs, with temperatures expected to range from 22°C to 28°C. The morning temperature on Friday was recorded at 24°C, with a humidity level of 75%. As the day progresses, the city is expected to see sunny skies, providing a reprieve from the smoggy conditions of the past few weeks.

(Edited by : Priyanka Deshpande)