After a near two-year delay, the BMC has finally started work on installing five air monitoring units in Mumbai. The installation will, however, take at least three months, which means the units will not be available during the winter season when air pollution levels are comparatively higher. The BMC brought five units worth Rs 10 crore under the Central government’s ‘clean air’ scheme last year. 

Mumbai’s air quality has worsened over the last few weeks due to prevailing global meteorological conditions. Even on Saturday many areas like Andheri and Mazgaon were reported to be in the “very poor” category as per the Air Quality Index. Though there are a few air monitoring units installed by System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting And Research (SAFAR), there is a need for a network of air monitoring units to review air quality throughout the year.