Emissions and pollution have been more of a burning concern in recent years, especially in the wake of the pandemic, which saw a large number of people succumb to a virus because their compromised respiratory systems couldn’t handle the strain. Furthermore, during the second wave, studies found a strong link between district-level air pollution statistics and Covid-19 cases, with locations using more fossil fuels falling prey to more cases.
While we assume that infections and dubious lifestyle choices were at the root of respiratory illnesses, toxic particulate matter found in today’s air pose greater harm than a cigarette.
Air pollution can no longer be dismissed as a localised concern, particularly in the landlocked north Indian cities, which accounts for the majority of information indicating the problem’s significance. Instead, the problem must be handled before it turns into a public health emergency.
Owing to its industrial expanse and strong fossil fuel reliance, the Mumbai region constitutes a large airshed for western India. The city’s financial clout, accessible resources, and vast population build a strong impetus for Maharashtra’s government to bear a large share of the burden of reducing emissions for Mumbai.
Air pollution causes 13 deaths per minute worldwide, and poses a severe threat to Mumbai’s health, with a Swiss air quality organisation IQAir highlighting US $2.9 billion in losses and 20,000 fatalities due to ambient air pollution in 2020-21.
Variability in Pollutant Concentrations, Hotspots
A startling comparison came to light in 2019 when the Union Earth Sciences Ministry’s System of Air Quality Weather Forecasting and Research revealed that the concentration of finer PM2.5 particles in the overall PM10 concentration was much higher in Mumbai than in Delhi, implying that while the air in Mumbai may not be as polluted, the impact on human health may be greater.
During a vulnerability assessment for the Mumbai Climate Action Plan…