Mumbai: Although Mumbai showed the highest 46% reduction in PM10 particles’ concentration in the air when compared to the baseline year of 2017-18 among Maharashtra cities, its overall PM10 concentration or pollution is still higher than the national ambient air quality standards, said a study by the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA), an independent research organisation focused on revealing trends, causes, health impacts, as well as solutions to air pollution.
As per the study, after Mumbai, Thane (33%), Badlapur (32%), and Ulhasnagar (32%) showed the highest reduction of PM10 concentration in the air. However, in the Mumbai metropolitan region, Navi Mumbai showed a rise in PM10 particles in the air, and Virar showed no change in its PM10 concentration, remaining at 99 μg/m³, the same as the baseline year.
National standards set by CPCB suggests that the PM10 concentration should not exceed the 100 μg/m³ limit for 24 hours and 60 μg/m³ for the annual average. PM10 are very small particles found in dust and smoke. These very common air pollutants have a diameter of 10 micrometres (0.01 mm) or smaller and are small enough to get into your throat and lungs. High levels of PM10 can make you cough, your nose run, and your eyes sting. People with heart or lung conditions might have more symptoms when PM10 levels are high. Symptoms can include wheezing, chest tightness, or difficulty breathing.
Nineteen cities in Maharashtra are funded under the national clean air programme (NCAP), which include Akola, Amravati, Aurangabad, Badlapur, Chandrapur, Jalgaon, Jalna, Kolhapur, Latur, Mumbai, Nagpur, Nashik, Navi Mumbai, Pune, Sangli, Solapur, Thane, Ulhasnagar, and Vasai-Virar.
In 2024, all 19 cities under NCAP exceeded the PM10 annual National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) of 60 μg/m³ for the annual average, which is a sign of caution and worry. Six cities, such as Jalgaon, Aurangabad, Navi Mumbai, Solapur, Jalna, and Kolhapur, showed increased PM10 concentration when compared to the NCAP baseline year (2017-18) concentration. Twelve cities showed improvement in PM10 levels, but it should be noted that even though there is improvement, these cities are still higher than the PM10 NAAQS set by CPCB.
“Only 5 out of 19 cities achieved the initial NCAP target of a 20-30% reduction in PM10 levels. The fact that the majority of cities are still struggling to meet even the initial target raises serious concerns about the feasibility of achieving the ambitious 40% reduction within the next two years. Expediting source apportionment studies and aligning funding with identified pollution sources, rather than focusing solely on dust, is crucial for targeted and effective interventions,” said Manoj Kumar, Analyst at the CREA.
Under NCAP, the state received ₹1,754 crores in funds to improve air quality, of which ₹1,097 crores were utilised, resulting in 63% fund utilisation, the study revealed. The NCAP implementation committee has mandated that 75% fund utilisation is a prerequisite for the release of additional funds.
Among the 19 NCAP cities in Maharashtra, nine cities (Jalgaon, Jalna, Latur, Kolhapur, Sangli, Nashik, Vasai-Virar, Pune, and Nagpur) reported fund utilisation below 75%, as only 8 out of 19 cities in Maharashtra completed their source apportionment studies, while the remaining cities are still in progress, the study pointed out.
It is reported that Mumbai, Pune, Solapur, Nashik, Navi Mumbai, Amravati, Aurangabad, and Kolhapur completed source apportionment studies, while remaining cities like Badlapur, Akola, Chandrapur, Jalgaon, Jalna, Latur, Ulhasnagar, Sangli, Thane, Vasai-Virar, and Nagpur have not completed the same.
Mumbai: Although Mumbai showed the highest 46% reduction in PM10 particles’ concentration in the air when compared to the baseline year of 2017-18 among Maharashtra cities, its overall PM10 concentration or pollution is still higher than the national ambient air quality standards, said a study by the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA), an independent research organisation focused on revealing trends, causes, health impacts, as well as solutions to air pollution.
As per the study, after Mumbai, Thane (33%), Badlapur (32%), and Ulhasnagar (32%) showed the highest reduction of PM10 concentration in the air. However, in the Mumbai metropolitan region, Navi Mumbai showed a rise in PM10 particles in the air, and Virar showed no change in its PM10 concentration, remaining at 99 μg/m³, the same as the baseline year.
National standards set by CPCB suggests that the PM10 concentration should not exceed the 100 μg/m³ limit for 24 hours and 60 μg/m³ for the annual average. PM10 are very small particles found in dust and smoke. These very common air pollutants have a diameter of 10 micrometres (0.01 mm) or smaller and are small enough to get into your throat and lungs. High levels of PM10 can make you cough, your nose run, and your eyes sting. People with heart or lung conditions might have more symptoms when PM10 levels are high. Symptoms can include wheezing, chest tightness, or difficulty breathing.
Nineteen cities in Maharashtra are funded under the national clean air programme (NCAP), which include Akola, Amravati, Aurangabad, Badlapur, Chandrapur, Jalgaon, Jalna, Kolhapur, Latur, Mumbai, Nagpur, Nashik, Navi Mumbai, Pune, Sangli, Solapur, Thane, Ulhasnagar, and Vasai-Virar.
In 2024, all 19 cities under NCAP exceeded the PM10 annual National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) of 60 μg/m³ for the annual average, which is a sign of caution and worry. Six cities, such as Jalgaon, Aurangabad, Navi Mumbai, Solapur, Jalna, and Kolhapur, showed increased PM10 concentration when compared to the NCAP baseline year (2017-18) concentration. Twelve cities showed improvement in PM10 levels, but it should be noted that even though there is improvement, these cities are still higher than the PM10 NAAQS set by CPCB.
“Only 5 out of 19 cities achieved the initial NCAP target of a 20-30% reduction in PM10 levels. The fact that the majority of cities are still struggling to meet even the initial target raises serious concerns about the feasibility of achieving the ambitious 40% reduction within the next two years. Expediting source apportionment studies and aligning funding with identified pollution sources, rather than focusing solely on dust, is crucial for targeted and effective interventions,” said Manoj Kumar, Analyst at the CREA.
Under NCAP, the state received ₹1,754 crores in funds to improve air quality, of which ₹1,097 crores were utilised, resulting in 63% fund utilisation, the study revealed. The NCAP implementation committee has mandated that 75% fund utilisation is a prerequisite for the release of additional funds.
Among the 19 NCAP cities in Maharashtra, nine cities (Jalgaon, Jalna, Latur, Kolhapur, Sangli, Nashik, Vasai-Virar, Pune, and Nagpur) reported fund utilisation below 75%, as only 8 out of 19 cities in Maharashtra completed their source apportionment studies, while the remaining cities are still in progress, the study pointed out.
It is reported that Mumbai, Pune, Solapur, Nashik, Navi Mumbai, Amravati, Aurangabad, and Kolhapur completed source apportionment studies, while remaining cities like Badlapur, Akola, Chandrapur, Jalgaon, Jalna, Latur, Ulhasnagar, Sangli, Thane, Vasai-Virar, and Nagpur have not completed the same.
