Mumbai: Air quality in Mumbai is further deteriorating, especially at traffic junctions. Since last year, the number of vehicles too has increased by more than five lakh. This, according to the environment status report 2016-17 released by BMC which shows that levels of sulphur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), carbon monoxide (CO) and respirable suspended particulate matter (RSPM) have also risen vis-a-vis 2016.
According to the report, SO2 levels have increased whereas NO2 levels have increased at Wadala and decreased at Andheri as compared to last year. CO levels have increased at Wadala, remaining almost the same at Andheri as compared to 2016. Levels of RSPM10 have increased at Wadala and Andheri while levels of RSPM2.5 have decreased at all sites as compared to last year. Compared to Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) standards however,both RSPM2.5 and RSPM10 levels have increased this year.
To measure pollutant levels in Mumbai, BMC’s air quality monitoring and research lab has established automatic monitoring sites at Worli, Wadala and Andheri traffic junctions. Air quality levels are monitored at various traffic junctions using mobile air quality monitoring vans.
Civic officials said that generally air pollutant levels decrease during monsoons and increase during winter.
Meanwhile, environmental expert Rishi Agarwal has demanded that public transport be encouraged to reduce air pollution. “More vehicles means more traffic and higher emission. That’s why traffic junctions are showing a rise in air pollution. Public transport should be promoted extensively so that private vehicles stay away from roads. There is also an option of introducing electric vehicles, but that should be done only after proper study.”
