Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai

Mumbai, Jan 13: With the Tata Mumbai Marathon scheduled for January 18, concerns over the city’s deteriorating air quality have resurfaced, prompting environmental group Awaaz Foundation to urge civic and pollution control authorities to put health safeguards in place for runners, volunteers and spectators.

In a letter addressed to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) on Monday, the foundation highlighted worsening air quality across Mumbai since the beginning of January, with haze-like conditions reported in several areas. It has sought early, route-specific air quality monitoring and transparent sharing of data ahead of the marathon.

Awaaz Foundation founder Sumaira Abdulali said air quality has been deteriorating over the years, with the marathon consistently held in January when winter conditions tend to aggravate pollution levels. She expressed particular concern over PM2.5 particles, which are easily inhalable and penetrate deep into the lungs. “During a marathon, runners’ inhalation rates increase significantly, making it crucial to know the exact pollution levels they are exposed to along the route,” she said.

Abdulali referred to the foundation’s monitoring exercise conducted during last year’s marathon, which found PM2.5 levels far above permissible limits at several locations in the early morning hours. Readings ranged from 95 micrograms per cubic metre to over 150 micrograms per cubic metre, well above the Central Pollution Control Board’s 24-hour standard of 60 micrograms per cubic metre.

Following the 2025 marathon, the MPCB had deployed mobile air quality monitoring vans along parts of the route and recorded high pollution levels after the event. The foundation has now requested the MPCB to deploy its mobile monitoring vans along the entire marathon route several days in advance, with a focus on early morning PM2.5 readings, and to share the findings publicly as well as with health authorities and marathon organisers. It has also suggested temporarily halting construction and other polluting activities along the route.

In response, the BMC said the complaint had been forwarded internally for necessary action on the directions of the additional municipal commissioner (environment and special projects). A senior BMC official stated that over the past six to seven days, air quality levels at several locations have largely remained between 110 and 114, while PM2.5 levels have at times crossed 200 in areas such as Deonar. The official added that MPCB’s mobile monitoring vans could be deployed if required, and expressed confidence that with a comprehensive plan next year, pollution levels could be kept below 100.

A senior MPCB official, however, pointed to logistical and security challenges faced last year in deploying mobile monitoring vans, including traffic concerns and lack of power supply. He said coordination with civic authorities was required to ensure fixed locations and electricity, adding that discussions with the BMC were ongoing.

Meanwhile, marathon organiser Procam International said it was committed to participant safety and environmental responsibility. In a statement, Neha Kandalgaonkar, vice-president of corporate communications at Procam, said the organisers were working closely with the BMC and other authorities to implement measures such as intensive road cleaning, dust suppression through mist blowers and water sprinkling, real-time environmental monitoring and early-morning race scheduling.

She also noted that this year’s coastal route, facilitated by Mumbai Police, would benefit from the early-morning sea breeze, aiding air movement during race hours. “Participant safety is further strengthened through a comprehensive medical preparedness plan, with robust medical infrastructure deployed across the course and at the finish area in partnership with Sir H.N. Reliance Foundation Hospital,” she added.