Campaign Partner : Waatavaran
UPDATES
13th February 2024:
The BMC launched the Mumbai Air app through which citizens can complaints related to Air Pollution. The application is available on Google Play store and is yet to be launched for iPhones.
January 2024:
The Chief Minister Clean Mumbai Whatsapp helpline has been updated to include a category to register Air Pollution complaints. You can register a complaint by dropping a message on 8169681697.
20th October 2023:
Municipal Commissioner Iqbal Singh Chahal put out regulations to combat increasing air pollution in the city. You can find out more about these regulations here.
7th June 2023:
Minister Eknath Shinde launched the Chief Minister Clean Mumbai Whatsapp helpline. Citizens can report garbage and debris related complaints on Whatsapp my messaging on 8169681697.
To,
Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC)
Principal Secretary, Environment Dept - MH
Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB)
Public Works Department
Demands :
Strict adherence to Construction and Demolition dust mitigation rules
Issue widespread health advisory to citizens on high AQI days.
Road dust makes up 2/3rd of particles in Mumbai’s air
A 2021 study by the National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI) and the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) showed that road dust now makes up over 71% of the particulate matter in Mumbai’s air as opposed to 28% in 2010. Rapid addition of high-rises and highways in the last decade is the major cause of the sudden rise in the dust.[1]
All the construction and demolition activities in the city need to follow the guidelines issued by CPCB to mitigate dust generation.
This includes sprinkling of water to suppress dust re-suspension, Use of covering sheets ( plastic, tarpaulin etc) on Construction material heaps that are easily airborne,Covering debris that are dumped at temporary storage sites, The adequate covering on construction works, particularly side-facing residential areas.
However, these guidelines are not being followed in the city even when AQI levels are reaching a very poor category. This has worsened the city's Air Quality Index. Last year, December saw a heavy rise in AQI numbers, and this year, we are seeing a spike higher than Delhi in October itself!
The System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research (SAFAR) released an advisory to stop outdoor activity early in the morning and after sunset, avoiding prolonged or heavy exertion and taking short walks instead of jogging. [2] Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) as well as other organizations monitoring the Air Quality in Mumbai, had alerted the municipal corporations about an episode wherein air pollution levels would increase. But most of these alarms went unnoticed. [3]
There is constant news coverage about increasing Cases of respiratory disorders in the city.[4] Air Pollution in Mumbai has become a health emergency now. BMC must take immediate steps to address the pollution and its effects on the health of Mumbaikars.
Sources :
[1] Road dust makes up 2/3rds of particles in Mumbai Air - The Times of India
[2] Air Quality Worsens AQI - Free Press Journal
Campaign Partner : Waatavaran
UPDATES
13th February 2024:
The BMC launched the Mumbai Air app through which citizens can complaints related to Air Pollution. The application is available on Google Play store and is yet to be launched for iPhones.
January 2024:
The Chief Minister Clean Mumbai Whatsapp helpline has been updated to include a category to register Air Pollution complaints. You can register a complaint by dropping a message on 8169681697.
20th October 2023:
Municipal Commissioner Iqbal Singh Chahal put out regulations to combat increasing air pollution in the city. You can find out more about these regulations here.
7th June 2023:
Minister Eknath Shinde launched the Chief Minister Clean Mumbai Whatsapp helpline. Citizens can report garbage and debris related complaints on Whatsapp my messaging on 8169681697.
To,
Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC)
Principal Secretary, Environment Dept - MH
Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB)
Public Works Department
Demands :
Strict adherence to Construction and Demolition dust mitigation rules
Issue widespread health advisory to citizens on high AQI days.
Road dust makes up 2/3rd of particles in Mumbai’s air
A 2021 study by the National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI) and the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) showed that road dust now makes up over 71% of the particulate matter in Mumbai’s air as opposed to 28% in 2010. Rapid addition of high-rises and highways in the last decade is the major cause of the sudden rise in the dust.[1]
All the construction and demolition activities in the city need to follow the guidelines issued by CPCB to mitigate dust generation.
This includes sprinkling of water to suppress dust re-suspension, Use of covering sheets ( plastic, tarpaulin etc) on Construction material heaps that are easily airborne,Covering debris that are dumped at temporary storage sites, The adequate covering on construction works, particularly side-facing residential areas.
However, these guidelines are not being followed in the city even when AQI levels are reaching a very poor category. This has worsened the city's Air Quality Index. Last year, December saw a heavy rise in AQI numbers, and this year, we are seeing a spike higher than Delhi in October itself!
The System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research (SAFAR) released an advisory to stop outdoor activity early in the morning and after sunset, avoiding prolonged or heavy exertion and taking short walks instead of jogging. [2] Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) as well as other organizations monitoring the Air Quality in Mumbai, had alerted the municipal corporations about an episode wherein air pollution levels would increase. But most of these alarms went unnoticed. [3]
There is constant news coverage about increasing Cases of respiratory disorders in the city.[4] Air Pollution in Mumbai has become a health emergency now. BMC must take immediate steps to address the pollution and its effects on the health of Mumbaikars.
Sources :
[1] Road dust makes up 2/3rds of particles in Mumbai Air - The Times of India
[2] Air Quality Worsens AQI - Free Press Journal