June 23, 2025: In a move towards more responsive pollution control, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has begun deploying portable air quality monitoring devices across the city. These handheld units, capable of delivering real-time Air Quality Index (AQI) data, are being piloted in some of Mumbai’s most pollution-prone areas — including busy traffic intersections, commercial hubs, and active construction sites.
Mumbai currently operates 25 fixed air quality monitoring stations in collaboration with the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board and the System of Air Quality Forecasting and Research (SAFAR). However, experts have long pointed out the limitations of static monitors in capturing hyper-local variations — particularly in zones affected by dust, vehicle emissions, and intermittent construction activity.
The new portable devices will allow BMC engineers to record on-the-spot levels of PM10 and PM2.5 — the two most dangerous types of airborne particulate matter. While PM10 particles are known to irritate the eyes and respiratory tract, PM2.5 can penetrate deep into the lungs, posing severe health risks.
Despite recent rainfall, neighbourhoods like Bandra-Kurla Complex, Chembur, Malad, Kandivli, Sion, and Kurla have continued to report poor air quality during peak hours. Civic data suggests that existing dust control measures, including water spraying, have yielded limited results, with over 2,000 construction sites operating across the city.
A senior BMC official confirmed that dust samplers would be introduced alongside the mobile monitors to improve data accuracy and strengthen enforcement. This follows the December 2024 crackdown when multiple non-compliant sites were temporarily shut.
While only five devices have been rolled out initially, the civic body views this as a scalable initiative. Experts agree that mobile monitoring marks a shift towards proactive environmental governance — one that could help Mumbai better enforce pollution control and meet its urban sustainability goals.
Source: Urban Acres
