November 25, 2025: Mumbai has been placed on high alert as air pollution levels spike across the city, prompting the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to activate its strictest anti-pollution measures so far. Several air quality monitoring stations have recorded AQI readings in the ‘very poor’ category, with Mazgaon touching a concerning 306. In response, the civic body has invoked the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP Stage IV), signalling readiness for aggressive intervention.
Municipal Commissioner Bhushan Gagrani emphasised that a city-wide construction shutdown is not the first step, noting that the administration will initially implement “positive interventions.” These include extensive water misting, deep cleaning of major roads, and stringent action against polluting bakeries, industrial units, and construction sites found violating environmental guidelines.
Gagrani said targeted enforcement will be intensified in hotspots such as the Mazgaon Dock area, which crossed AQI 300. Should the situation fail to improve, construction activity in these pockets will be suspended, mirroring last year’s emergency action.
Thick haze has reduced visibility across Mumbai, with viral visuals showing the Bandra–Worli Sea Link engulfed in smog. Residents have expressed alarm that a coastal city typically aided by sea breezes is now facing severe pollution levels.
Flying squads deployed across all wards have begun inspections, and the environment department has issued notices to several bakeries and industrial units, especially in vulnerable zones like Deonar where open burning remains persistent. Show-cause and stop-work notices are also being served to construction sites and ready-mix concrete plants that breach the BMC’s 28-point pollution control guidelines.
Calling construction bans a “negative intervention,” Gagrani stated they will be enforced only if earlier measures fail. Police have also been instructed to increase night inspections to curb illegal burning. If Mazgaon’s AQI remains above 300 for two more days, a complete halt on construction will follow, and if the city-wide AQI stays above 200, bans will apply to the most affected areas.
With Mumbai’s average AQI now at 173, bordering the ‘poor’ category, authorities are moving swiftly to prevent the city from slipping into a smog crisis similar to Delhi’s recurring pollution emergencies.
Source: Dajiworld
