BMC Proactively Addresses Air Quality Concerns as Winter Season Begins in Mumbai
Mumbai, 28th December 2023: As the winter season sets in, Mumbai witnesses a drop in minimum temperatures below 20°C, raising concerns about potential air quality deterioration. In a proactive move, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has decided to receive a one-week advance prediction of air pollution from the System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting And Research (SAFAR) to implement timely preventive measures.
A recent meeting between BMC officers and SAFAR officials focused on strategies to maintain air quality during the winter season. Recognizing the spikes in pollution, especially during night and morning hours, SAFAR has committed to providing a one-week advance pollution forecast, similar to the monsoon rainfall predictions received by BMC’s disaster management cell. This advance notice equips BMC with sufficient time to plan and execute necessary actions.
Taking inspiration from Delhi’s winter action plan and guidelines, BMC aims to formulate a comprehensive strategy to effectively tackle air pollution. Concerns about the deteriorating Air Quality Index (AQI) in Mumbai have prompted health officials to underscore the need for proactive measures.
In response to previous criticism from the Union government and High Court, BMC issued 27 guidelines in October, focusing on the impact of ongoing development works in the city. These guidelines impose restrictions on various development activities, with BMC actively involved in road and footpath cleaning measures, covering seven hundred kilometres of roads daily with the use of 150 water tankers across 24 administration wards.
The Environment Department of BMC is actively engaged in efforts to reduce air pollution. Officers are conducting site visits to locations with air monitoring machines, ensuring proper placement and addressing local issues affecting accurate air pollution measurements. The Air Quality Index (AQI) readings over the past four days indicate fluctuating air quality, with the parameters categorized as Medium, Satisfactory, and, on December 27, Bad air quality.
