Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray on Friday criticised the Maharashtra government over what he described as an “alarming rise” in Mumbai’s air pollution, claiming it was the result of an “explosion of corruption” and unplanned development carried out solely for the benefit of contractors, reported the PTI.

Speaking at a press conference in Mumbai, Thackeray also questioned the government’s proposal to cut trees in the Tapovan area of Nashik for the construction of a ‘sadhu gram’—a temporary settlement for seers and saints during the 2026–27 Kumbh Mela.