Diwali Blues: Haze, ‘Poor’ Air Quality in Mumbai As People Openly Flout Firecracker Curbs

Mumbai’s air quality worsened as a layer of haze shrouded the city a day after Diwali due to the open flouting of the ban on burning firecrackers. Mumbai’s overall Air Quality Index (AQI) was recorded as 234, which is in the poor category.

Just before Diwali, due to rains and winds, the AQI had improved to satisfactory.

Many parts of the city, such as BKC, Borivali, Malad and Chembur recorded AQI in the ‘very poor’ category.

The Bombay High Court had imposed a restriction on burning firecrackers from 8-10:00 pm in the city, adhering to the guidelines by the Supreme Court. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) had also appealed to the citizens to go easy on firecrackers amid the pollution levels.

However, according to activists, the ban was flouted across various places in the city and the bursting of firecrackers went on until late in the night.

AQI at Various Places in and Around Mumbai-

• Navi Mumbai – 184 (Moderate)
• Andheri – 174 (Moderate)
• Chembur (Tiss) – 337 (Very Poor)
• BKC (Kalanagar) – 312 (Very Poor)
• Borivali – 307 (Very Poor)
• Worli – 134 (Moderate)
• Mazagaon – 267 (Poor)
• Malad – 309 (Very Poor)
• Colaba – 173 (Moderate)
• Bhndup – 147 (Moderate)
• Mumbai (overall) – 234 (Poor)

Meanwhile, the pollution levels in Delhi-NCR also reached an alarming high a day after the city and its adjoining areas got short-lived relief from the toxic haze due to rain god’s mercy. Despite a complete ban on the sale, purchase and use of firecrackers by the Supreme Court, the practice took place in many parts of Delhi-NCR.

The AQI, which had improved over the weekend in most parts of Delhi-NCR due to a sudden spell of rain, went back to severe hazardous levels as per several real-time air monitoring platforms.

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