Mumbai was blanketed in a dense, choking haze this week, prompting widespread concern among residents and experts alike.
A viral video shared online, captured from a moving train as it crossed one of the city’s bridges, exposed the stark reality of the city’s deteriorating air quality — the skyline barely visible beneath a thick curtain of pollution. The footage quickly drew emotional reactions from citizens, with many describing the scene as a public health emergency in the making. India’s financial capital has long battled air pollution, but the growing frequency of such incidents has brought renewed scrutiny to the state’s urban planning and environmental governance. The city’s air quality index (AQI) crossed 200 in several parts this week — classified as ‘poor’ — and in some cases reached levels equivalent to smoking over 100 cigarettes per month, as health researchers noted.
Experts point out that the persistent smog is not merely a seasonal concern but a symptom of structural problems. Rapid urbanisation, an unrelenting construction boom, and the heavy reliance on fossil fuels — particularly coal — continue to pump tonnes of particulate matter into the atmosphere. These pollutants, especially PM2.5, have been linked to respiratory illnesses, cardiovascular problems, and developmental issues in children. Air quality monitoring reports show that India is home to 83 of the world’s 100 most polluted cities, with neighbouring Pakistan and Bangladesh registering even higher levels of toxic particulate matter. Mumbai’s situation, though often overshadowed by cities like Delhi in national discussions, is becoming impossible to ignore. Data from air quality networks suggest that the city’s average annual exposure to pollutants far exceeds World Health Organization guidelines.
Despite strides in promoting renewable energy and regulating emissions from vehicles and industry, experts say enforcement remains patchy. Authorities have issued periodic advisories and launched tree plantation drives, but these actions are often reactive, lacking continuity or long-term vision. Public health professionals warn that without a coordinated and sustained policy response, Mumbai’s smog problem could spiral into a full-blown crisis. The visual evidence of thick smog engulfing Mumbai’s bridges and high-rises also raises uncomfortable questions about the city’s approach to sustainable development. Urban planners have repeatedly called for better air quality forecasting systems, decentralised emission monitoring, and the scaling down of polluting industries in densely populated areas. However, these recommendations have yet to see meaningful implementation.
Social media, meanwhile, has become an outlet for growing public frustration. Users questioned the seriousness of government efforts, pointing out the lack of awareness campaigns and the minimal presence of green mobility options. “It’s hazy all day long. I can’t remember the last time I saw a clear sky,” one user commented. Another added sarcastically, “Let’s build more towers. That will fix it.” As Mumbai continues to expand skywards and sideways, residents are beginning to ask what kind of city they will inherit. Clean air, once taken for granted, is now becoming a luxury in the megacity. Whether this alarming episode leads to real policy change or becomes yet another moment lost in smog remains to be seen. What is certain, however, is that the air citizens breathe today will shape the health and future of generations to come.
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