Mumbai records moderate air pollution, AQI hits 137 amid clear skies

Mainly clear skies prevailed across Mumbai and its suburbs on Thursday The minimum temperature in Colaba was recorded at 220 degrees Celsius while Santacruz registered a low of 174 degrees Celsius with no rainfall reported according to the India Meteorological Department IMDAs per the Sameer App Mumbairsquos Air Quality Index AQI stood at 137 categorised as moderate This level may cause breathing discomfort for people with lung disorders asthma or heart conditionsAQI readings across the city were as followsBandra Kurla Complex BKC 148Borivali 122Byculla 150Chakala Andheri East 126Chembur 146Colaba 142Deonar 141Ghatkopar 159Kandivali 134Kherwadi Bandra East 180Delhis air quality remains very poor with AQI over 370 as thick smog blankets the capitalLarge parts of the capital were enveloped in a dense layer of toxic smog drastically reducing visibility and causing discomfort for residents RK Puram experienced severe smog with an AQI of 374 categorising it as lsquovery poorrsquo according to the Central Pollution Control Board CPCBSimilarly areas around Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium were covered in thick smog with an AQI of 349 also placing it in the lsquovery poorrsquo category Najafgarh recorded a slightly lower AQI of 284 though the area was still surrounded by heavy smog CPCB data indicated reported news agency ANIIn response the Commission for Air Quality Management CAQM has implemented all StageIV measures under the Graded Response Action Plan GRAP across DelhiNCR to curb pollution levelsA thick layer of fog also blanketed the city of Ayodhya in Uttar PradeshAccording to AQI categorisation 050 is good 51100 satisfactory 101200 moderate 201300 poor 301400 very poor and 401500 severeEarlier the Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR and Adjoining Areas CAQM deployed 19 teams for a roadinspection drive on December 12 reported ANIThis drive was conducted as part of the Commissions ongoing monitoring and enforcement under the statutory framework and provisions of the extant GRAP According to the release a total of 136 road stretches within the Delhi Development Authority DDA jurisdiction were inspected across DelhiAccording to the final compiled data 15 road stretches exhibited high visible dust levels 38 showed moderate dust 61 recorded low dust intensity and 22 stretches had no visible dust Road stretches with accumulation of MSW and C and D waste were reported to be 55 and 53 respectively 6 stretches were reported to have evidence of MSW Biomass burning the release saidThe above observations clearly indicate gaps and recurring negligence in the maintenance of the affected stretches It highlighted the need for DDA to enhance operational efficiency and implement prompt corrective measures through consistent timely dustmitigation interventions The agency also needs to improve compliance across all road stretches for MSWBiomass burning it was highlightedThe Commission observed that these kinds of incidents impact particulate matter levels in Delhi and emphasised the need for strengthened onground action including regular mechanical sweeping timely disposal of collected dust maintenance of road shoulders and central verges in addition to deployment of watersprinkling dustsuppression systems and focused actions for prevention of open burning cases across all stretches maintained by DDAWith ANI inputs