Air Quality Deteriorates in Maharashtra Cities

Air Quality Deteriorates: Changes in weather, high vehicle emissions, and firecracker burning have caused air quality to worsen in several cities across Maharashtra, including Mumbai, Nagpur, Pune, and Nashik. On Wednesday morning, these cities were reported as some of the most polluted in the state, according to real-time data from aqi.in.

Current Air Quality Status

Maharashtra's air quality remained in the ‘Moderate’ category on Wednesday, with an air quality index (AQI) score of 94. Visuals from the Bandra Reclamation area in Mumbai showed poor air visibility due to pollution and lower temperatures.

Pollution Levels in Major Cities

Many cities in Maharashtra have experienced moderate to high pollution levels over the past few days. According to the latest data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), cities like Mumbai, Pune, Nagpur, and Nashik saw a slight improvement in air quality on Tuesday compared to Monday.

• Mumbai's daily average AQI decreased to 96 on Tuesday from 153 on October 28.
• Nagpur's daily AQI also improved to 102 on Tuesday from 146 reported on Monday.

Rising Air Pollution Concerns

Air pollution continues to be a significant issue across India, and Maharashtra is no exception. Over the past five years, cities such as Mumbai, Pune, and Navi Mumbai have seen a rise in pollution levels. A report by Respirer Living Sciences Pvt Ltd highlighted that high levels of PM2.5 particles have been recorded in key cities from 2019 to 2024. The report noted that ten out of nineteen non-attainment cities in Maharashtra have shown increasing PM2.5 pollution levels, despite efforts under the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP).

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Summary

Air quality has worsened in several cities across Maharashtra, including Mumbai, Nagpur, Pune, and Nashik, due to weather changes, high vehicle emissions, and firecracker burning. On Wednesday, these cities were among the most polluted in the state, with Maharashtra's air quality index (AQI) recorded at 94, classified as ‘Moderate.’ Recent data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) showed a slight improvement in air quality on Tuesday compared to Monday. Mumbai's daily average AQI decreased to 96 from 153, and Nagpur's dropped to 102 from 146. Despite these improvements, air pollution remains a significant concern, with rising levels of PM2.5 particles noted over the past five years. A report indicated that ten out of nineteen non-attainment cities in Maharashtra have experienced increasing PM2.5 pollution levels, despite interventions under the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP). These issues highlight the need for continued monitoring and effective measures to combat pollution in the region.