MUMBAI: If the System of Air Quality and weather Forecasting And Research (SAFAR) data is anything to go by, Chembur is Mumbai's most polluted suburb. Data shows its air quality to be in the lowest, or 'poor' category, but residents of Chembur and its surrounding areas aren't surprised. They blame the numerous industrial plants and oil refineries in the neighborhood and the frequent fires in the 132-acre Deonar dumping ground nearby, for the severely polluted air.
The SAFAR system was conceived and developed by the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM), Pune, in association with Regional Meteorological Centre (IMD) Mumbai, and the BMC and provides location-wise information to Mumbaikars on air quality. In June this year, the Mumbai chapter of System of Air Quality and weather Forecasting And Research (SAFAR) was launched. The data is displayed on screens put up at various locations in the city, besides being available to citizens through a mobile application. Thursday's real-time data on the application indicated that particulate matter (PM) 2.5 is the highest in Chembur at 235 micrograms per cubic meter (g/m³).
Rajkumar Sharma, a Chembur resident from Advanced Locality Management and Networking Action Committee (ALMAC) said, "At all our meetings, the first few points at the top of the agenda concern the air pollution in the area. The authorities however have shown little interest over the years in doing anything to improve the situation. Waste management is a major concern in this area especially because of the Deonar dumping ground which is located very close. Besides, the cement plants in Shivaji Nagar also cause tremendous issues with their trucks constantly moving up and down. This air pollution affects everyone from infants to senior citizens."
Corporator Rais Shaikh, from M-east ward, said Chembur imports all its air pollution from industries in the Mankhurd-Shivaji Nagar area. "Flames come out from the chimneys of factories located in these areas. Moreover, with the Deonar dumping ground reaching its full capacity, garbage is burnt there which again causes tremendous pollution, although the authorities will deny it."
Dr Gufran Beig, project director, SAFAR, from the IITM said that the increase in the concentration of particulate matter is known to cause a lot of irritability in the respiratory system besides asthma and bronchitis. "One of the reasons for placing a screen in Chembur locality was on account of the polluting industries in the area. The pollution emitted from industries and refineries in these areas adds to the particulate matter. Moreover, diesel trucks ply on several kuccha roads in the area."
