Mumbai air quality today: Sun returns but AQI remains ‘poor’ at 139; ‘severe’ pollution plagues Wadala

Mumbai AQI

While Mumbaikars awoke on Tuesday to crisp breezes and clear blue skies, a lingering shroud of smog served as a stark reminder of the city’s ongoing air pollution crisis. Despite ideal winter weather forecast by the India Meteorological Department (IMD), with temperatures ranging from 16 degrees Celsius to 33 degrees Celsius, air quality levels remained a pressing public health concern.

Data from the air quality monitoring platform AQI.in revealed the city’s overall Air Quality Index (AQI) at 139, categorised as ‘poor’. This marks an improvement from the hazardous levels seen in late November and early December, yet the air remains far from healthy.

The situation is acutely severe in specific hotspots. According to AQI.in, the Wadala Truck Terminal recorded a dire AQI of 346, placing it in the ‘severe’ category and posing significant health risks. Mumbai Airport also registered alarming pollution, with an AQI of 213, rated ‘unhealthy’.

Several other areas reported persistently poor air. Industrial and residential zones in Deonar (AQI 180) and Chembur (AQI 177) were notably affected, with Kurla (177) and coastal Worli (173) following closely behind.

While suburban regions fared relatively better, they were not untouched; Charkop (73) and Jogeshwari East (78) were in the ‘moderate’ category, with Kandivali East (82), Govandi (83) and Mulund West (100) also recording moderate but noticeable pollution.

The deteriorating air coincides with an unprecedented wave of construction activity across the metropolis. Mumbai is currently a vast network of large-scale government infrastructure projects - including metro lines, bridges and road-widening works - alongside a surge in private real estate developments, all contributing to dust and emissions.

In response to the construction-linked pollution, civic authorities are poised to take a harder line. Newly appointed Additional Municipal Commissioner Avinash Dhakne signalled a tougher stance on Monday. He indicated that the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is considering a substantial increase in penalties for construction sites that continue to violate pollution norms even after being served notice.

As defined by monitoring standards, an AQI between 101-150 is ‘Poor’, 151-200 is ‘Unhealthy’ and anything above 200 is ‘Hazardous’. For many residents, the city’s winter charm is now permanently muted by the fight against smog.