Court Slams 'Volcano Excuse' for Mumbai's Bad Air

Mumbai's air quality crisis took center stage as the Bombay High Court rejected the government's argument that a recent Ethiopian volcanic eruption was the primary cause of the city's pollution. The bench pointed out that the Air Quality Index had been consistently poor, often exceeding 300, well before the volcanic ash plume reached the subcontinent.

The court questioned the effectiveness of current measures, drawing parallels with the severe air pollution situation in Delhi. Petitioners highlighted that AQI levels have remained in the 'Poor' to 'Very Poor' categories for an extended period, necessitating urgent action beyond attributing blame to external events.

Meanwhile, entrepreneur Vineeta Singh amplified concerns, stressing the severe health implications, including increased cancer risks, linked to prolonged exposure to polluted air. She advocated for stringent dust and pollution control measures, similar to those in China and Korea, and proposed cloud seeding as a potential solution for Mumbai's humid climate.