Politics · India Bureau
Mumbai Expands Road Concretisation as Air Quality Crisis Deepens
Mumbai's civic authorities have issued a tender for laying concrete on over 300 kilometres of roads even as the city grapples with severe air pollution. The move comes weeks after the Bombay High Court flagged the deteriorating air quality as an emergency situation.
LSN India ·
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has called for tenders to concretise 311 kilometres of roads across the city, a decision that has drawn scrutiny amid mounting concerns over air pollution levels in India's financial capital.
The timing of the infrastructure project is contentious, coming just two weeks after the Bombay High Court expressed alarm over the persistent haze blanketing Mumbai, characterising the situation as an "emergency." The court had sought clarification from state authorities on measures being undertaken to address the crisis.
Road construction and concretisation activities are significant contributors to particulate matter and dust pollution in urban areas. Environmental experts have long flagged the need for coordinated action between different municipal departments to balance infrastructure development with air quality management.
The BMC's road project underscores the challenge Indian cities face in managing competing priorities—upgrading urban infrastructure while protecting public health. Officials have not yet clarified whether the tender incorporates pollution mitigation measures such as dust suppression techniques or construction scheduling to minimise environmental impact during high-pollution months.
Mumbai's air quality has deteriorated notably in recent months, with pollution levels frequently exceeding safe limits prescribed by the Central Pollution Control Board, particularly during the winter season when meteorological conditions trap pollutants near ground level.