Mayor’s Response to Public Outcry
Mumbai Mayor Ritu Tawde responded firmly after Bollywood actor Deepika Padukone highlighted the city’s deteriorating air quality on social media, saying the city seemed to be “choking.” Tawde stressed that the civic administration listens to every resident of Mumbai, not just celebrities, and is monitoring the situation closely.
Steps to Curb Pollution
The mayor noted that nearly 2,250 buildings and major infrastructure projects are underway in Mumbai. To combat air pollution, she said strict guidelines and standard operating procedures (SOPs) have been issued for construction sites, including dust-control measures, cleaned access roads, and water sprinkling.
Enforcement and Vigilance
Tawde added that if construction norms are not followed, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) can issue on-the-spot stop-work notices to ensure compliance. She reiterated that this vigilance applies to both private developers and public works.
City Under Smog Yet AQI Within Limits
Despite a blanket of smog covering Mumbai, the current Air Quality Index (AQI) remained in the satisfactory range below 100 on Friday – a sign that measures may be keeping the situation from worsening further.