Mumbai Leads in PM10 Reduction, Navi Mumbai Lags
Mumbai has made notable progress in its battle against air pollution, emerging as a leader among Maharashtra’s cities with a 46 percent reduction in PM10 concentration compared to the baseline year of 2017-18, a study by the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA) has revealed. However, despite this achievement, Mumbai’s overall PM10 concentration remains higher than national air quality standards, posing a continued challenge to the city’s environmental efforts.
The study, which examined the air quality of various cities in Maharashtra, indicated that after Mumbai, Thane followed closely with a 33 percent reduction in PM10 levels. Other cities such as Badlapur and Ulhasnagar also saw significant reductions at 32 percent each. However, some areas in the Mumbai metropolitan region, particularly Navi Mumbai, witnessed an increase in PM10 particles, while Virar showed no improvement, with its concentration remaining unchanged at 99 μg/m³ – the same level as the baseline year. PM10 particles, which are minuscule airborne particles, pose serious health risks as they can easily enter the lungs, causing symptoms such as coughing, eye irritation, and even respiratory distress for people with pre-existing conditions. The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) sets the national standard for PM10 concentration at a maximum of 100 μg/m³ for a 24-hour period and 60 μg/m³ for the annual average. Despite some cities’ efforts to reduce pollution levels, the study highlights that none of the 19 cities under Maharashtra’s National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) met the annual average standards in 2024.
While 12 of the cities saw improvements in their PM10 levels, the overall figures indicate that the reduction goals set under NCAP are still not within reach for many. Only five cities, including Mumbai, reached the initial target of a 20-30% reduction in PM10 levels, with several others still struggling. In terms of funding, the state allocated ₹1,754 crores under the NCAP initiative, of which ₹1,097 crores were utilised. However, 75% fund utilisation is required for further funding to be released. This remains a point of concern as several cities, including Jalgaon, Solapur, and Navi Mumbai, reported fund utilisation rates below the required threshold. Additionally, the completion of source apportionment studies, which identify pollution sources, remains incomplete in several cities, delaying targeted interventions. Manoj Kumar, an analyst at CREA, expressed concerns over the slow pace of progress. “The fact that the majority of cities are still struggling to meet even the initial reduction targets raises serious concerns about the feasibility of achieving the ambitious 40% reduction within the next two years. It is essential to expedite source apportionment studies and align funding with specific pollution sources,” he said.
