Mumbai woke to a cool winter morning on Wednesday, with residents experiencing clear blue skies and a gentle nip in the air. However, this seasonal relief was tempered by a thin haze lingering across the city, highlighting the persistent challenges of air pollution despite favourable weather conditions. Experts note that such haze is symptomatic of the city’s ongoing struggle to manage particulate matter amid rapid urbanisation.
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Mumbai recorded a minimum temperature of around 15°C, while daytime highs reached 33°C. Despite these comfortable temperatures, the city’s Air Quality Index (AQI) remained in the ‘poor’ category at 141, as measured by air monitoring platform AQI.in. While an improvement from more severe levels earlier in December, the figures continue to pose health concerns for sensitive groups, including children and the elderly. Urban planners and environmental specialists attribute much of Mumbai’s air pollution to dust and emissions generated by large-scale infrastructure projects and construction activity. Major civic works, including new metro lines, road-widening initiatives, and bridges, combined with a surge in private real estate development, have contributed significantly to airborne particulate matter. “Rapid urbanisation without adequate dust control measures continues to impact air quality,” an environmental analyst noted.
Certain areas of Mumbai registered particularly alarming readings. Wadala Truck Terminal emerged as a critical hotspot, with AQI levels soaring to 409, categorised as ‘hazardous’ and posing severe health risks. Deonar and Colaba followed with AQI levels of 217 and 203 respectively, both in the ‘unhealthy’ range. Residential and industrial zones such as Worli and Kurla recorded ‘poor’ readings at 193. Suburban areas fared slightly better; Charkop, Kandivali East, and Jogeshwari East showed moderate levels ranging from 67 to 78, while Powai and Chembur hovered around 80–82. Current figures underscore the need for sustained interventions, including stricter dust management on construction sites, expansion of green cover, and enhanced public awareness campaigns about air quality. Industry experts emphasise that without these measures, even pleasant winter mornings may come at the cost of public health.
As Mumbai grapples with winter haze, officials and urban planners face the dual challenge of promoting city development while ensuring that air quality standards do not deteriorate further, keeping public health at the centre of sustainable urban strategies.
Mumbai Wakes Up To Cool Winter Morning With Hazy Air Quality
