The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) plans to install five additional continuous ambient air quality monitoring stations across the city to track pollution levels. The project is designed to provide hourly updates on air quality and meteorological data, including wind speed, direction, temperature, and humidity. These stations will be linked to the Central Pollution Control Board server, with data made available on the BMC portal.
The two sources provided offer conflicting details regarding the project's logistics. The Times of India reported the cost of the project as Rs 17.50 crore and stated that Invia India Private Limited has been selected to execute the work, which includes a three-year warranty and five years of maintenance. Conversely, News18 stated the project cost is Rs 22 crore.
Discrepancies also exist regarding the exact locations of these new stations. The Times of India listed the sites as CD Deshmukh Garden in Mulund (East), Pramod Mahajan Park in Borivali (West), Aarey Garden's Chhota Kashmir in Goregaon (East), Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Recreation Ground in Dahisar (East), and the assistant municipal commissioner's office in Khar (H-West ward). News18, however, identified the planned locations as SK Patil Garden at Charni Road, CD Deshmukh Garden in Mulund (East), Raheja Garden in Goregaon, Pramod Mahajan Garden in Dadar, and Swami Muktanand Garden in Santacruz.
Key facts
- Mumbai currently operates 28 air quality monitoring stations.
- The BMC aims to place new stations in areas not covered by existing MPCB, BMC, or SAFAR-Mumbai networks.
- The Times of India reported the project budget as Rs 17.50 crore.
- News18 reported the project budget as Rs 22 crore.
- The stations will track pollutants and meteorological parameters on an hourly basis.
Why it matters
The addition of these stations follows concerns regarding localized pollution spikes in Mumbai, particularly after incidents of firecracker burning during Diwali. While the city recorded a 24-hour average AQI of 172 post-Diwali, which represents an 18.5% improvement over the previous year's 211, experts cited by News18 have questioned whether placing monitoring stations specifically within gardens will provide a fully accurate representation of urban pollution levels.
Background
Mumbai's existing air quality network is managed by various bodies, including the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board, the BMC, and the SAFAR-Mumbai project.
Source: Times of India, News18
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