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Mumbai Gasps for Breath as Pollution Levels Reach Dangerous Highs
15 Nov
Summary
- Air quality deteriorates sharply in Mumbai, with 'poor' and 'very poor' levels
- Particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10) exceeds safe limits at multiple locations
- Experts predict further decline in air quality as winter approaches
On November 15, 2025, Mumbai's air quality has deteriorated significantly, with a surge in concentrations of the pollutants PM2.5 and PM10 from Thursday night through Friday morning. Several monitoring stations across the city recorded 'poor' and 'very poor' air quality, with the worst affected areas being Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC), Siddharth Nagar (Worli), Mazgaon, Sion, Navy Nagar-Colaba, and Deonar.
According to the Central Pollution Control Board's (CPCB) 4 pm bulletin, the city's overall air quality index (AQI) stood at 164, significantly higher than the 138 recorded on the same day last year. At several locations, levels of PM2.5 exceeded those of PM10, indicating a mix of combustion sources, vehicles, industries, generators, and waste-burning as the primary contributors to the poor air quality.
Analysts attribute the rising concentrations of particulate matter to both seasonal patterns and the city's persistent emission sources. As winter sets in, cooler temperatures trap pollutants closer to the ground, leading to sharp spikes in pollution levels. Experts warn that the coming weeks will see further decline in air quality, with La Niña intensifying and creating a phenomenon of cooler temperatures mixed with slower wind speeds, which will further reduce the dispersion of particles.
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has responded by intensifying enforcement and deep-cleaning drives to control dust, but the situation remains dire. Residents of Mumbai are bracing for a prolonged period of poor air quality as the city grapples with this environmental crisis.
