Bollywood actor Deepika Padukone recently raised concerns about the worsening air quality in Mumbai, drawing public attention to the city’s rising Air Quality Index (AQI) levels.
In a post on Instagram, the actor shared screenshots showing the city’s AQI hovering around 150, a level considered unhealthy for sensitive groups.
Expressing concern about the situation, she wrote, “This city (& its children) are choking! How is this okay?” In her post, Padukone also tagged the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC).
Her comments quickly sparked widespread discussion on social media and prompted a response from the city’s civic administration.
Mumbai Mayor Responds To Actor’s Concerns
Responding to the issue, Ritu Tawde, the Mayor of Mumbai, acknowledged the concern raised by Padukone and said the administration is listening to citizens.
Speaking to the media, Tawde said:
“Deepika Padukone has said something. She is a celebrity, and we respect that. We are listening to every Mumbaikar.”
The Mayor admitted that the city’s AQI levels have indeed increased and emphasised that the BMC is not denying the issue. According to her, the administration is actively reviewing additional precautionary measures to control pollution levels.
Construction Activity A Major Cause Of Pollution
Mayor Tawde attributed a significant portion of the pollution spike to the large number of ongoing construction projects across the city.
She stated that approximately 2,250 construction sites are currently active in Mumbai, including major infrastructure works such as Metro projects and developments under the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA).
Dust generated from these projects, officials say, is a major contributor to deteriorating air quality in the city.
BMC Enforces Dust-Control Measures
To tackle rising pollution levels, the BMC has issued Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to builders, Metro contractors and other agencies involved in construction work.
These guidelines require strict dust-control and pollution mitigation measures, including:
- Mandatory covering of construction materials
- Controlled transportation of debris
- Regular cleaning of roads near construction sites
Authorities have also installed digital AQI display boards at several locations across the city to monitor pollution levels in real time.
Stop-Work Notices For High Pollution Levels
According to the Mayor, the civic body takes action when pollution crosses permissible limits. Based on AQI readings, authorities can issue stop-work notices to construction sites contributing to excessive dust levels.
Builders have also been instructed to carry out deep cleaning of nearby roads after unloading construction material to prevent dust from spreading into residential neighbourhoods.
Growing Debate Over Mumbai’s Air Pollution
The discussion triggered by Padukone’s post has once again highlighted concerns about air pollution and environmental management in Mumbai, especially as rapid infrastructure development continues across the city.
Officials say they will continue monitoring AQI levels and enforcing dust-control regulations to minimise pollution.