Mumbai’s air quality has become a growing concern, with pollution levels fluctuating across the city and triggering fresh debates over the impact of large-scale construction and infrastructure projects.
On Thursday morning, data from AQI monitoring platforms placed Mumbai’s overall Air Quality Index (AQI) at 113, categorising it as “poor.” Several neighbourhoods such as Borivali East, Borivali West, Kandivali East, Malad West and Louis Wadi reported “unhealthy” air. Some pockets, including Mithchowki and Mirashi Nagar Vali, even crossed the 200 mark, entering the “severe” category.
Conflicting Data Raises Questions
However, official figures from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) showed a different picture in certain areas. Borivali East recorded an AQI of 67, while Kandivali East stood at 65 — both in the “satisfactory” range. Malad West and Ghatkopar also remained under the “satisfactory” bracket.
Shivaji Nagar, however, slipped into the “moderate” category with an AQI of 101.
The Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM), in its air quality bulletin, forecast that Mumbai’s air would likely remain in the “moderate” category between February 26 and 27.
How Does Mumbai Compare to Delhi?
While Mumbai’s pollution levels are concerning, they remain significantly lower than those in Delhi.
Delhi’s overall AQI hovered above 200, categorised as “poor” to “very poor.” Areas like Anand Vihar recorded AQI levels above 300, while Dwarka Sector 8 crossed 200. Multiple zones, including Mayur Vihar and Pandav Nagar, entered the “hazardous” range.
The comparison highlights that although Mumbai’s air is deteriorating, the national capital continues to battle more severe pollution levels.
Is Construction the Main Culprit?
Officials and environmental observers have increasingly linked Mumbai’s rising pollution to ongoing infrastructure expansion. Metro corridors, road concretisation, coastal road development and high-rise construction have intensified dust generation across the city.
According to government data, 1,952 out of 2,224 active construction sites — nearly 88% — have now installed low-cost air quality sensors to monitor dust emissions.
To reduce road dust, authorities have deployed 126 water tankers and 25 misting machines, covering more than 14,400 km of roads.
Crackdown on Violators
The Maharashtra government has stepped up enforcement under its “Clean Air” campaign. More than 1,000 construction projects have received stop-work notices for violating environmental rules.
Environment Minister Pankaja Munde informed the assembly that between October 2025 and January 2026, authorities issued 1,981 show-cause notices and 1,047 stop-work orders.
AI-Based Pollution Tracking on the Way
During a discussion in the state legislative council, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis emphasised that traditional monitoring systems are not enough to track pollution sources effectively.
He directed the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to develop a dynamic pollution-tracking system powered by Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Internet of Things (IoT) technology. The system aims to identify pollution hotspots in real time and enable quicker enforcement.
The Bigger Picture
Mumbai’s pollution spike reflects the growing tension between rapid urban development and environmental sustainability. While infrastructure growth is essential for the city’s expansion, experts warn that strict compliance, dust control and smarter monitoring will be crucial to prevent air quality from worsening further.
