AIR POLLUTION LEVELS DROP AS CITY OBSERVES JANTA CURFEW

MUMBAI: The city witnessed a significant drop in both air and noise pollution levels across the city during the one-day Janta Curfew called by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Sunday.

According to System of Air Quality Weather Forecasting and Research (SAFAR), Mumbai recorded a 30% decline in oxides of nitrogen (NOX) and a 20% decline in particulate matter (PM2.5) on Sunday (March 22) as compared to peak levels on March 18. Maximum NOX decline was recorded at Andheri (25%) and Borivli (20%).

On Monday, however, pollutant-measuring indicator air quality index (AQI) by SAFAR witnessed a marginal increase from 61 (satisfactory) on Sunday to 69 (satisfactory), on account of an increase in vehicular traffic despite the state’s directive of a lockdown in Mumbai.

“On March 18, there was high dust pollution in Mumbai’s air due to the wind pattern over the city and external sources. However, as vehicular movement reduced, a considerable declining trend has been observed. Under the current scenario, a further decline in all pollutants cannot be ruled out,” said Gufran Beig, project director, SAFAR.

Meanwhile, an assessment of real-time noise levels recorded and published on the CPCB website for 10 locations in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR), undertaken by anti-noise campaigner Awaaz Foundation, showed that noise levels across all monitoring stations were less than daily averages. For example, against the average of 98 decibels (db) at Marine Drive on a normal day, the CPCB station recorded maximum levels at 78.9db on Sunday.