Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai
Mumbai, Feb 19: A dense layer of smog covered large parts of the city on Thursday and Friday, pushing Mumbai’s Air Quality Index (AQI) up sharply within 24 hours and triggering fresh health concerns among residents.
The AQI climbed to 127 from 94 recorded on Wednesday, placing the city in the “moderate” category. However, the sudden spike and persistence of haze well into the afternoon — instead of clearing by late morning — alarmed commuters and environmental experts alike.
The smog significantly reduced visibility during peak hours, making the morning rush challenging on major arterial roads. Yash Tiwary, who commutes daily by app-based bike from Borivli to Mira Road, described the atmosphere as “unusually grim”.
“The visibility was so poor that I initially thought it was going to rain. It felt risky navigating through traffic in such haze,” he said.
While the citywide AQI remained in the moderate range, hyper-local monitors recorded alarming levels near high-construction zones.
An AQI monitor installed within the premises of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport recorded a severe reading of 300 at 8.30 am on Thursday. Another monitor in a residential society undergoing redevelopment in Andheri (East) showed an AQI of 260 on Friday morning.
Residents in Sahar village and Chakala blamed ongoing infrastructure and redevelopment projects for worsening dust levels. Sabina D’Souza, a local resident, said many in the area are experiencing chronic cough and breathing discomfort.
“The air has become so difficult to breathe that we have to wear masks even while walking on the road,” she said.
Environmental experts have pointed to a worrying urban trend affecting Mumbai’s natural ventilation system. Nivit Yadav, programme director at the Centre for Environment and Science, said dense smog is relatively new for coastal Mumbai and warrants closer study.
He explained that while sea breeze traditionally helps disperse pollutants, rapid construction of tall buildings along the coastline has disrupted natural wind corridors. The emerging “skyscraper wall” effect, he said, may be blocking airflow and preventing pollutants from escaping.
Weather conditions compounded the problem. Wind speeds on Thursday were recorded at just 11.1 kmph — nearly half of Wednesday’s 22.2 kmph — limiting pollutant dispersion. Meanwhile, the minimum temperature at Santacruz stood at 22°C, 4.9 degrees above normal, creating a stagnant atmospheric layer that trapped dust and smoke near the ground.
With Mumbai’s skyline rapidly transforming, the latest smog episode has renewed calls for stricter construction dust control measures and long-term urban planning that preserves natural wind pathways.