Mumbai Implements Highest-Level GRAP-4 Protocol Amid Alarming AQI Levels

Every morning, you step outside and notice that hazy layer hanging in the air. It's not fog - let's be real, Mumbai and winter don’t mix well! This haze is actually smog, a type of air pollution that makes it hard to see clearly. For weeks now, Mumbai has been struggling with poor air quality, similar to Delhi, leading to rising Air Quality Index (AQI) numbers daily. This bad air is causing irritation like sore throats and burning eyes among the city's residents. And now, to deal with this grappling situation, authorities have begun enforcing restrictions under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP-4) in neighborhoods like Mazgaon, Deonar, Malad, Borivali East, Chakala-Andheri East, Navy Nagar, Powai and Mulund, where residents are experiencing 'very poor' to 'severe' AQI levels for better health outcomes.

What Is The GRAP-4 Level In Mumbai, And What Does It Include

GRAP-4 is the initial stage of Mumbai's Graded Response Action Plan, activated when air quality reaches moderate to poor levels. This plan includes several measures to improve air quality. Authorities will strictly enforce bans on burning garbage in public areas and landfills. They will also ensure that construction sites control dust effectively, tighten rules on industrial emissions, and shut down any violators. Special traffic teams will be deployed to reduce emissions caused by congestion, and vehicle pollution checks will be intensified.

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), in charge of the city's civic services, will stop construction work in areas most affected by pollution. Road cleaning and dust control will focus on places with poor air quality, including Borivali east, Malad west, and others.

Industries contributing to pollution will face penalties for rule violations. Currently, 95 inspection teams have evaluated 70 construction sites throughout the city, issuing stop-work orders to 53 of them due to noncompliance with BMC’s pollution regulations.

Furhermore, Bakery owners have been instructed to remove their chimneys, and marble cutting units must switch to cleaner practices. Additionally, 450 BMC supervisors are allowed to impose fines for illegal dumping and pollution activities.