Mira-Bhayandar air worsens with AQI at 192; dust persists despite notices to 150 sites

Air pollution in Mira-Bhayandar is growing more serious by the day because of the various development works under way in the city, and residents fear for their health. October's rising heat on one side and smoke in the air and dust from construction sites on the other are dealing the people of Mira-Bhayandar a double blow.

The city's Air Quality Index (AQI) has been recorded at 192, worsening the pollution problem. It has emerged that the municipal corporation has sent notices to about 150 construction sites. Even so, residents complain that no effective measures to control dust are visible on the ground. Angry residents are asking at whose cost the city's development is taking place.

Private construction projects, Metro work, road digging, and drain and sewer works are among the many developments under way in the city. These works have left dust levels high in several areas. Add to that growing vehicular traffic and conditions in which pollutants stay trapped in the air, and concern is being voiced that air quality will fall further.

According to the available data, the city's AQI is 192. The level of PM 2.5, or very fine particles, in the air is reported at 114 micrograms per cubic metre, and PM 10 particles at 141 micrograms. What these figures mean depends on the period they cover and the monitoring centre they come from. Even so, the rise in fine particles in the air is a health concern for residents.

The AQI is used to gauge the level of pollution. In India's AQI classification, a level of 101 to 200 falls in the Moderate category, which means 192 is at the upper end of this range. At this level, sensitive people may have breathing difficulty. The city's Climate Action Plan also names construction dust, unpaved roads and vehicle exhaust as key sources of air pollution in Mira-Bhayandar.

The question of pollution in Mira-Bhayandar is not limited to construction sites. It is also linked to the city's overall development planning. It is therefore necessary to identify the causes of pollution and take long-term measures against them. For residents to get clean air, action by the administration, responsibility on the part of builders and strict compliance with the rules are all important.