Mumbai: Sion-Wadala left gasping as dust rises post rains

Dust along the Monorail corridor. Pics/Atul Kamble

With the monsoon now behind, dust pollution has returned to haunt residents in the Sion-Pratiksha Nagar-Wadala belt. Morning walkers and locals say that ongoing construction activities and the existing particles on the roads in the area are generating heavy dust, making daily walks increasingly difficult. Residents are demanding that authorities carry out regular water spraying to bring the situation under control and also that action be taken against those responsible.

For the past week, during early mornings and late nights, mid-day photographer Atul Kamble, has observed a noticeable rise in dust pollution. The most affected stretches include the route from Pratiksha Nagar to Wadala RTO and the vicinity of the Monorail Depot.

Amey Dhulup, Pratiksha Nagar resident, said, "For nearly a decade, I have been going for morning walks in the area. However, after the monsoon, we have once noticed a sharp rise in dust pollution, caused by dust from the roads and ongoing infrastructure work in the area. This poses a serious health risk, especially for senior citizens and young children. The authorities must urgently strengthen measures to check increasing dust levels."

Dust and gravel accumulated on the road

Many senior citizens use the area for their morning and evening walks, and they, too, are struggling with the worsening dust pollution.

A regular morning walker, Purva Harachkar, said, "I walk daily from Pratiksha Nagar to the Wadala RTO, and we have been experiencing severe dust pollution. The situation has become so bad that we are forced to wear masks even during our morning walks. The authorities concerned must take prompt action and hold those responsible accountable."

It is important to note that there is a lot of construction activity, including construction of buildings, that is going on in the area, and this could be one of the major contributors. It is mandatory for all construction sites in Mumbai and the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) to install sensor-based pollution monitors.

Dust seen in the air in the Wadala area

Nalini Doiphode, another regular morning walker, said, "The dust level near the Monorail Depot is so bad that if someone steps out without a mask, they may find it difficult to breathe. I have noticed that water is sprinkled on the road early in the morning to control dust, but once it dries, the pollution returns. The only effective solution is to thoroughly wash the entire stretch so that dust does not accumulate."

In February, mid-day reported that Maharashtra Pollution Control Board Member Secretary Avinash Dhakne, an IAS officer, had written to all municipal corporations, urging officials to ensure that sensors are deployed at all construction sites to monitor pollution levels.

Locals speak

Nalini Doiphode, regular morning walker
‘The dust levels are so bad that if someone steps out without a mask, they may find it difficult to breathe. Water is sprinkled on the road early in the morning to control dust, but once it dries, pollution returns'

Amey Dhulup, regular morning walker
‘After the monsoon, we have noticed a sharp rise in the dust pollution, caused by dust from the roads and ongoing infrastructure work in the area. The authorities must urgently strengthen measures'

Purva Harachkar, regular morning walker
‘The situation has become so bad that we are forced to wear masks even during our morning walks. The authorities concerned must take prompt action and hold those responsible accountable'