The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) on Monday said Mumbai’s air quality has improved significantly since November 26 due to multiple pollution-control measures undertaken across the city and suburbs. The civic body also clarified that Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) Stage-4 restrictions are not applicable in the city at present, though intensified monitoring will continue.
Municipal commissioner and BMC administrator Bhushan Gagrani has directed officials to maintain strict action against both private and government construction projects violating the civic body’s 28-point dust and pollution mitigation guidelines.
According to the BMC, the improved AQI readings over the past 48 hours are the result of increased wind speed, which rose from 3–4 kmph before November 28 to 10–18 kmph, aiding pollution dispersion. Enforcement measures such as notices to errant construction sites, misting, water sprinkling, road washing, awareness drives, and the transition of bakeries and crematoria to cleaner fuels have also contributed.
To ensure compliance, the civic body has deployed 94 ward-level flying squads to monitor pollution mitigation efforts. These teams are inspecting private construction areas and metro and road project stretches, issuing stop-work notices where violations are found. They are also checking sensor-based AQI monitoring systems at various sites.
Mumbai’s GRAP-4 rules primarily cover construction activity, small industrial units and pollution-linked operations. AQI categories range from good (0–50) to severe (401–500), with the city currently reporting levels well below the threshold for GRAP-4.
