Maharashtra Pollution Control Board’s latest report on ambient air pollution in the state indicate the city’s air quality has witnessed a record improvement.
February has been an eco-friendly month for pollution-troubled Mumbai. The latest findings of the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) on ambient air pollution in the state indicate that the city's air quality is improving.
Levels of respirable suspended particulate matter (RSPM), nitrous oxides (NOx) and sulphur dioxides (SO2) have shown a substantial decrease as compared to corresponding numbers the same time last year. Figures recorded by MPCB's monitoring stations at Sion and Mulund are also less than the overall average of air pollution levels last year. The stations located in residential areas with heavy vehicular traffic monitor levels of pollutants including SO2, NOx and RSPM.
In February 2007, MPCB's Mulund station had, until yesterday, recorded an average SO2 level of 21.75 µg/m3, the corresponding figure in February 2006 was 45.10 µg/m3 - a good 51.77 per cent decline.
Even levels of RSPM (43.11 per cent) and NOx (44.56) recorded a sharp decline. Interestingly, SO2 reading for this January was as high as 86.17 µg/m3. According to the pollution board, S02 and NOx up to 80 µg/m3 are permissible in the air and the standard for RSPM is set at 100 µg/m3.
MPCB's other monitoring station at Sion also recorded a reduction in pollution levels. While S02 levels were down by 12.45 per cent compared to their equivalents last February, levels of Nox and RSPM recorded a 32.27 per cent and 13.39 per cent decline respectively. (see box)
Dr DB Boralkar, member secretary, MPCB attributed the decline in pollution levels to large scale removal of pollution-creating unauthorised units in and around Mithi river bank, introduction of pollution friendly Euro-III fuels for vehicles in April last year and widening of road network.
He, however, maintained that while environmental degradation was arrested, a lot more needed to be done to improve air quality. "Rapid construction activity, especially in South Mumbai, is escalating levels of RSPM in the air. Controlling that is our major worry presently," he said.
MPCB officials also pointed to the closing and shifting out of many manufacturing units from the city as one of the reasons for the decrease in pollution levels. Vehicular and construction-related pollution are major contributors to the city’s pollution. Industrial smoke, biomedical and domestic wastes are other culprits.
While the city has passed the February environment test, the findings are grim for other cities in the state. Areas like Pune, Pimpri, Chinchwad, Nashik, Aurangabad, Navi Mumbai, Chandrapur have recorded at least 12 per cent rise in pollution levels. Pune-Pimpri-Chinchwad with a 14 per cent rise in RSPM levels (162.33 µg/m3) was the most polluted city.
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