Mumbai: Just like New Delhi, Mumbaikars have started fearing their morning walks, garden yoga and laughter sessions. The poor and unhealthy air quality index (AQI) was particularly alarming on Thursday, with particulate matter visible to the naked eye throughout the day. Are the BMC’s dust mitigation plans the right solution? “Hope the civic body can act unsupervised constructions.
Our suggestions/ objections fall on deaf ears,” Rotna Das, an activist and resident of south Mumbai, said. As for the civic body, as of December 25, its teams visited 868 construction sites and served notices to 28 for not complying with pollution control guidelines. On Thursday, as part of its special drive, the BMC cleaned and washed 128 roads spanning 263 km using sweepers, water sprinklers, misting, anti-smog, and other machines to clear the accumulated dust. A total of 197 tonne of construction debris and waste was also collected and Rs 97,100 of penalty was collected from the defaulters. Calling these temporary measures, a civic activist from Bandra, Naazish Shah, alleged that the government prioritises infrastructure works over the health of citizens.
More vehicles on road add to the pollutin- Naazish Shah
Shah said, “The authorities should plan better and not permit the digging of roads and new constructions all at a time. Across the city, major roads are dug up and it takes over an hour to travel across suburbs by road. More vehicles on roads add to the pollution.” Shah suggested focusing on public transport, like increasing BEST buses. The residents staying along the Coastal Road also alleged that the BMC does not pay heed to complaints on rising air pollution.
“For one month, I have been calling the project engineers to take measures to prevent dust from entering our houses due to the pile of cement/sand stored for construction. However, there is no action and residents are facing breathing issues,” Zia S, resident of Mahalaxmi Bay said. Smog aggravates health issues such as emphysema, chronic bronchitis, respiratory infections, eye irritation, and reduced resistance to colds. Inhaling cold air can also constrict the throat and nasal passages, causing shortness of breath and nasal congestion.
Between cold weather and pollution intensifies respiratory problems. “During winter, the drop in night temperatures creates a blanket of cold air that traps pollutants like particulate matter and carbon monoxide in the lower atmosphere,” said Dr Lancelot Pinto, pulmonologist and epidemiologist at PD Hinduja Hospital. Dr Sulaiman Ladhani, a pulmonologist at Wockhardt Hospitals, Mumbai Central, said they have recorded more than a 50% increase in patient turnover, mainly due to flu-like illness and exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma.
He said the anticipated worsening of AQI over the coming days is a serious concern “It’s important that people stay indoors during peak pollution hours, use air purifiers, and wear masks when stepping out. Vulnerable groups, including children and the elderly, must take extra precautions,” he said. Nanavati ~ Max Super Speciality Hospitals director of pulmonology and sleep medicine, Dr Salil Bendre, also confirmed that outpatient department visits for breathing difficulties have doubled.
