Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai
Mumbai, Oct 22: Mumbai’s air quality has raised fresh concerns after the city ranked third among the world’s most polluted cities in a global air quality snapshot, with Delhi in second place and Pakistan’s Lahore topping the list.
According to IQAir’s latest rankings cited in the report, Lahore recorded an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 291, followed by Delhi at 232 and Mumbai at 176. Jakarta ranked fourth with an AQI of 173, while Dhaka and Kuala Lumpur recorded 169 each. Kolkata stood seventh with an AQI of 166.
The ranking highlights growing concerns over air pollution in Mumbai, where hazy conditions have become increasingly noticeable. Pollution levels also vary considerably across the city, with some neighbourhoods recording higher readings than others.
On October 20, data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) put Mumbai’s overall AQI at 114. Among individual monitoring stations, Navy Nagar in Colaba recorded 158, Bandra-Kurla Complex 156, Andheri East 145, Siddharth Nagar in Worli 143 and Malad 138.
The figures from IQAir and the CPCB are based on different monitoring systems and should not be directly compared. However, both highlight the importance of monitoring pollution levels across Mumbai.
Vehicle emissions, construction and redevelopment dust, industrial activity and open waste burning are among the sources contributing to poor air quality. Weather conditions also influence how quickly pollutants disperse, with the retreat of the monsoon raising concerns about air quality in the coming weeks.
Fine particulate matter such as PM2.5 poses particular health risks as it can penetrate deep into the lungs. Prolonged exposure to polluted air can aggravate asthma and other respiratory and cardiovascular conditions. Children, older people and those with existing health problems are especially vulnerable.
The situation has renewed calls for sustained monitoring of pollution hotspots, stricter dust control at construction sites, regular road cleaning and effective action against open waste burning and polluting vehicles.
While global rankings draw attention to the scale of the problem, consistent improvements in local air quality will depend on identifying pollution sources, enforcing regulations and ensuring that measures to control emissions deliver lasting results.