While Mumbai air quality has shown an overall improvement since the onset of the monsoon on May 25 this year, even the rain which is expected to clean pollution from the air has not been able to improve air quality in high-footfall areas such as Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC), Kandivli, Malad, Chembur, Sion, and Kurla
A haze at Mahim beach on June 7. Pic/Ashish Raje
While Mumbai’s air quality has shown an overall improvement since the onset of the monsoon on May 25 this year, even the rain which is expected to clean pollution from the air has not been able to improve air quality in high-footfall areas such as Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC), Kandivli, Malad, Chembur, Sion, and Kurla, especially during peak hours of traffic and activity.
In the past fortnight since the onset of monsoon, Mumbai has recorded ‘good’ and ‘satisfactory’ Air Quality Index (AQI) in several areas such as Worli, Byculla, Colaba, Ghatkopar, Bhandup, and Mulund according to Central Pollution Control Board’s (CPCB) station wise data.
However, during the same time during peak activity hours such as between 6 pm and 10 pm, BKC has recorded sustained pollution with the AQI extending to the ‘moderate’ category on six days, Kandivli has recorded 13 days of AQI extending to the ‘moderate’, and Vile Parle has recorded one day in the ‘poor’ category, with AQI crossing the 200 mark. Sion, Kurla, and Shivaji Nagar have recorded AQI in the ‘moderate’ category on two days each.
According to experts, rain acts as a natural cleanser of air, and monsoon months are always expected to bring respite from pollution as rains wash away suspended particulate matter. Other aspects that help reduce pollution during monsoon are rainfall received in the surrounding region, known as air catchment areas, and long and short range transportation patterns.
As the pace of construction activity slows down in the monsoon, dust from construction sites begins to settle, according to experts. In 2024, Mumbai recorded ‘good’ AQI on 85 days during the monsoon months between June and September 2024. No other days throughout the year recorded ‘good’ AQI. In 2023, Mumbai recorded ‘good’ AQI on five days, and ‘satisfactory’ AQI on 116 days.
Dr Gufran Beig, meteorologist and scientist, said, “Improved air quality during this time is attributed to the good-will of the monsoon. We have to start identifying a problem if the air quality worsens again after it stops raining.” Among other factors, BMC has identified vehicular emissions and construction activities as the top contributors to pollution in Mumbai.
Sumeira Abdulali, convenor of Awaz Foundation, said, “We have been raising this issue for more than three years now, and during this time, the air quality has become consistently bad. We see the cyclical phenomena where the air quality worsens during winter months, and then monsoons may bring respite due to the rain. But even with rain, where does all that pollution really go? - it will still settle on the roads or in our water bodies.”
Top 5 areas with bad AQI during peak hours
Kandivli, BKC, Vile Parle, Sion and Kurla
AQI category impact
0-50
Good minimal impact
51-100
Satisfactory minor breathing discomfort to sensitive people
101-200
Moderate breathing discomfort to the people with lungs, asthma and heart diseases
201-300
Poor breathing discomfort to most people on prolonged exposure
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