After mid-day reports about delay in procuring CAAQMS, installation work begins. But we will have to wait to know how bad the air is
Mumbai was blanketed in smog last week. Pic/Satej Shinde
After a near two-year delay, the BMC has finally started work on installing five air monitoring units in Mumbai. The installation will, however, take at least three months, which means the units will not be available during the winter season when air pollution levels are comparatively higher. The BMC brought five units worth Rs 10 crore under the Central government’s ‘clean air’ scheme last year.
ADVERTISEMENT
Mumbai’s air quality has worsened over the last few weeks due to prevailing global meteorological conditions. Even on Saturday many areas like Andheri and Mazgaon were reported to be in the “very poor” category as per the Air Quality Index. Though there are a few air monitoring units installed by System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting And Research (SAFAR), there is a need for a network of air monitoring units to review air quality throughout the year.
Also Read: Mumbaikars raise concern over city’s high AQI level
Under the Clean Air initiative, local bodies get funds for various environmental-related plans. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation had floated tenders for five Continuous Ambient Air Monitoring System (CAAQMS) under the Centre’s National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) in January 2021. The locations for the units were finalised as Pant Nagar in Ghatkopar, Sewri Koliwada, Charkop gaon in Kandivli, Sant Savta Mali Marg, Byculla and Shivaji Nagar in Govandi. But the units were not installed even after two years. mid-day first reported about the delay on December 9. “The units were received by the contractor and the material for the construction and installation of units were sent to the sites. We have a target to complete the work on or before February 2023,” said an officer from the Solid Waste Management. As per information, the work at Charkop and Byculla is currently on. The selection of the site and foundation work has been completed and integration of CAAQMS shelter is underway. Work on the other three sites hasn’t started yet.
City’s AQI ‘poor’
On Saturday, Mumbai’s overall air quality dropped to poor with an AQI value of 215. While seven of the AQI monitoring stations of the System of Air Quality Weather Forecasting And Research recorded moderate AQI values, three stations Chembur, Andheri and Mazgaon recorded AQI values of 307 (very poor), 269 (poor) and 266 (poor) respectively.
Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!
