Mumbai, a bustling metropolis, continues its struggle against the deteriorating air quality that has raised concerns regarding a multitude of contributing factors. Although construction activities often shoulder the blame for the city’s air pollution, R Shankar Raman, Chief Financial Officer of Larsen & Toubro (L&T), underscores the importance of addressing a more comprehensive array of challenges in combating this crisis.

Recognizing the Multifaceted Nature of Mumbai’s Air Pollution

In an exclusive interview with Moneycontrol, Raman highlights that attributing Mumbai’s air pollution solely to construction simplifies a much more complex issue. The city’s burgeoning population, coupled with urban planning challenges, significantly contributes to the worsening air quality. Raman asserts the need for a broader perspective, emphasizing that Mumbai alone cannot bear the burden of addressing all economic challenges. Job opportunities must be created in other regions as well to alleviate the city’s congestion.

Vehicular Pollution: An Equally Prominent Factor

While construction activities undoubtedly make a significant contribution to Mumbai’s air pollution, Raman underscores that vehicular emissions and the diminishing green cover share equal culpability. The collective impact of vehicular pollution, dust pollution from construction sites, and deforestation has led to the city’s air quality woes. Raman calls for a balanced approach, ensuring that vehicular pollution is not overshadowed by the construction sector when devising air quality solutions.

Mitigating Pollution from Construction Sites

L&T has taken proactive steps in collaboration with the government, working on a pro-bono basis to establish standard operating protocols (SOPs) aimed at reducing dust pollution at construction sites. Many of these measures have already been implemented by L&T at their construction sites. These include the regular use of water sprinklers to control dust pollution, the deployment of wet cloths to absorb dust particles, and the installation of barricades designed to minimize air pollution.

One noteworthy initiative by L&T is their commitment to environmental responsibility. They plant two million saplings in 2023-24 to compensate for the trees felled during construction—a practice that sets them apart as many other contractors do not follow similar protocols.

The Air Pollution Challenge in Metro Cities

Mumbai and Delhi, two of India’s prominent metro cities, have been grappling with deteriorating air quality, particularly in recent times. The air pollution crisis in these cities has escalated, further compounded by the upcoming festive season and the denser air of winter that traps pollutants.

Data from the Central Pollution Control Board reveals that Mumbai had an average Air Quality Index (AQI) score of 156 on October 19, while New Delhi’s AQI stood at 121. However, in subsequent days, Delhi’s air quality exceeded Mumbai’s, reaching levels well above 250. This situation in both cities has the potential to deteriorate, posing health hazards and environmental concerns as winter approaches.

In Conclusion: A Comprehensive Approach to Air Quality

The air pollution challenge in Mumbai is intricate, demanding a comprehensive approach for effective resolution. While construction activities play a role, addressing vehicular pollution, deforestation, and urban planning challenges is equally vital in the pursuit of cleaner air for this vibrant metropolis. The focus should extend beyond construction sites to encompass the broader spectrum of contributors to Mumbai’s air pollution crisis.