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Mumbai is struggling with the problem of air pollution, although the situation is not as serious as Delhi.
Over the past few weeks, the city’s air quality has deteriorated, raising health concerns for children, senior citizens and pregnant women. To address this, the city civic body has started taking stronger dust-control and pollution-reduction steps.
Mumbai’s skyline has been looking hazy and covered in smog since the beginning of November. The air quality index (AQI) of the city has increased rapidly. Weather experts say weak winds and increasing construction activity are the main reasons behind this sudden surge.
Areas like Mazgaon, Deonar, Worli, Andheri-Chakla and Malad are the most affected. The civic body has now implemented the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) in these areas.
This includes curbs on construction activity, a ban on open fires and garbage burning, as well as intense measures to reduce dust on roads. Officials say that the situation is being monitored ward by ward. If an area records “very poor” AQI for three consecutive days, GRAP will be implemented there too.
Construction activity remains a major contributor to poor air quality. Municipal authorities have already issued stop-work notices to 59 construction sites failing to comply with pollution-control norms. Misting machines and deep cleaning of roads have also been increased.
According to the Meteorological Department, weak easterly winds will continue for a few more days, which means pollutants will remain trapped in the air. Some improvement is expected only when strong westerly winds return.
However, how long this relief will last is uncertain.
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