The residents of Govandi continued to push back against the Ready-Mix Concrete (RMC) plants in the M East ward, across Deonar, Shivaji Nagar, Baiganwadi, and Mankhurd, as Mumbai ranked fifth among the most polluted cities globally in the IQAir rankings. Locals alleged that the plants are still making the air in the locality hazardous, and sent a “show cause cum stop work notice” against the plants in October.

Reading into readings

The notice states that the M East ward is one of the most vulnerable areas in the city, with nearly 70 per cent slum population. It also points to the vicinity of the Deonar Dumping Ground, animal incinerator, and waste incinerator present in the locality. The residents highlighted how Mumbai had beaten Delhi’s poor AQI record, with Deonar-specific AQI readings being the worst in the city.