Mumbai’s air crisis deepens: AQI 300+ in 2 suburbs, PM2.5 skyrockets

Mumbai's average AQI climbed sharply from 172 to 198, edging closer to the ‘poor’ category. (Photo: X/@mashrujeet)

Mumbai woke up to a thick blanket of smog this week, with air quality reaching "very poor" and "hazardous" levels, similar to the situation in Delhi-NCR.

According to a report by Times Now, the city’s worsening pollution is pushing residents to breathe air equivalent to smoking multiple cigarettes a day.

On Wednesday, two suburbs, Malad West with an AQI of 308 and Borivali East at 303, recorded dangerous pollution levels, both breaching the 300 mark, the report added. The city’s average AQI climbed sharply from 172 to 198, edging closer to the ‘poor’ category. Large parts of the city also saw reduced visibility through the morning as dense fog blanketed several areas.

The most concerning aspect is the significant spike in PM2.5 concentration, fine particulate matter that can penetrate deep into the lungs and bloodstream, posing serious health risks.

Key data recorded on Wednesday

• PM2.5 peaked at 200 micrograms per cubic metre in some parts of the city
• As of 9:30 pm, PM2.5 averaged 150 across Mumbai
• Equivalent exposure = breathing smoke from 6–7 cigarettes a day
• Areas touching PM2.5 range of 150–200 in pockets included Mulund and Powai
• Borivali recorded 180, while Malad hovered near 150
• Andheri remained around 100 on average

BMC rolls out guidelines to cut construction dust

To tackle dust pollution, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has issued a 27-point directive for construction sites, outlining measures to limit debris exposure, manage on-site dust and regulate the movement of construction materials.

• Non-compliance now triggers online notices to builders
• Responses are also submitted digitally
• The civic body has not yet disclosed how many builders have been penalised so far