The city of Mumbai, known for its bustling streets and vibrant culture, has been grappling with a silent threat—deteriorating air quality. The issue came into sharp focus recently when various parts of the city witnessed a significant decline in air quality, ranging from ‘very poor’ to ‘severe.’ Despite these concerning developments, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), the city’s civic body, remained surprisingly silent, failing to issue any health advisories to its residents.

Less than two weeks ago, on October 18, the Air Quality Index (AQI) in Vile Parle, a western suburb that houses the city’s airport, reached a staggering 411, entering the ‘severe’ category. Astonishingly, the residents of Vile Parle received no health advisory from the BMC, raising questions about the corporation’s responsibilities regarding public health and safety.

The situation was equally alarming on October 13 when the AQI in Vile Parle registered 388, categorizing the air quality as ‘very poor.’ Moreover, on October 16, the bustling suburb of Andheri recorded an AQI of 307, which later worsened to 347, still within the ‘very poor’ range. Similarly, on October 17, Mazgaon’s air quality was deemed ‘very poor’ with an AQI of 307.

What makes this situation even more perplexing is the BMC’s announcement nearly eight months ago, stating its plan to issue public health advisories. This announcement was made in February while presenting the budget and was part of the Mumbai Air Pollution Mitigation Plan (MAPMP). The plan aimed to provide warnings and advisories to residents during periods of worsening air quality, akin to the warnings offered by the India Meteorological Department (IMD) ahead of heavy rainfall.

When inquired about the delay in issuing health advisories, Sudhakar Shinde, Additional Municipal Commissioner of BMC, stated that the process is still being prepared. He emphasized that the bulletins would be issued based on the daily air quality records, post-consultation with health experts and doctors.

The AQI monitoring chart classifies air quality into six categories, ranging from ‘good’ to ‘severe.’ An AQI above 400 is considered ‘severe.’ Public health experts argue that health advisories play a crucial role in raising awareness among citizens about pollution levels and suggesting ways to safeguard their health, especially for those with respiratory conditions. Such advisories become even more vital when a Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) is in place, which Mumbai currently lacks.

Health advisories serve as a preventive tool, educating individuals about how to minimize exposure to pollutants. A former BMC Health Commissioner pointed out that the BMC already possesses the means to disseminate daily AQI awareness. They suggested incorporating AQI forecasts, real-time updates, and health advisories available in apps like SAFAR for the benefit of citizens.

Furthermore, experts stressed the need for a GRAP, similar to the one implemented in Delhi-NCR during the winter. The GRAP has multiple stages and includes actions such as minimizing outdoor activities and promoting public transport when air quality deteriorates.

The overall consensus among experts is that Mumbai should proactively establish these mechanisms instead of waiting for air quality to worsen. The implementation of such strategies is essential for the well-being of Mumbai’s residents, especially during times of poor air quality.