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Mumbai's Air Quality Deteriorating:
As the air quality in Mumbai continues to worsen, a central government team is poised to visit the city soon, evaluating the state government's efforts to mitigate pollution.
Monitoring Pollution Mitigation Measures
A team of officials from the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change (MOEFC) is set to assess the ground situation and verify the implementation of pollution control measures by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), as revealed by officials familiar with the matter.
Measures by the Bombay High Court
In response to the deteriorating air quality, the Bombay High Court recently issued several directives to mitigate pollution. It mandated that all construction debris should be transported in fully covered trucks until November 10, and only ready-mix concrete is allowed at construction sites. The court further emphasized the importance of enforcing the Mumbai Air Pollution Act of March 2023, placing personal accountability on the municipal commissioner and assistant municipal commissioner to ensure compliance.
Initiatives by the Health Department
The Maharashtra health department initiated a comprehensive 'Health Action Plan' that includes the establishment of a district-level task force to monitor and promptly address air pollution-related illnesses across the state. This action plan comes in the wake of reports highlighting authorities' negligence of health advisories during Mumbai's worsening air quality and the High Court's intervention.
Steps Taken by BMC
The BrihanMumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has implemented various measures to combat air pollution, such as the use of anti-smog guns, sprinklers at construction sites, and dedicated squads to enforce pollution control protocols. Moreover, the BMC has initiated the daily cleaning of major roads in the city with recycled water, covering a substantial stretch of 650 kilometers.
High Court's Mandate Ahead of Diwali
With Diwali approaching, the Bombay High Court has proactively addressed the issue of firecrackers, stipulating that they can only be burst between 7 pm and 10 pm to limit their contribution to air pollution. The court has deployed eight municipal officials to ensure strict adherence to the designated time limit.
Continued Monitoring and Future Considerations
The court has emphasized its commitment to monitoring the air quality closely and taking further action, including potentially banning the transportation of construction materials if the air quality does not improve. Furthermore, the court has explicitly prohibited the burning of waste in open spaces, particularly at dumping sites, emphasizing the need for strict adherence to pollution control measures across Mumbai.
