Mumbai Records ‘Poor’ AQI, Still Cleaner Than Delhi, Hyderabad, Bengaluru & Chennai

Mumbai recorded relatively better air quality on Wednesday, January 28, compared to several other major Indian cities, even as pollution levels across the country continued to hover in the poor-to-unhealthy range.

According to real-time data updated at 7:11 am, Mumbai's overall Air Quality Index (AQI) stood at 149, placing it in the 'Poor' category, according to aqi.in. While far from ideal, the city's air was notably cleaner than that of the national capital New Delhi, Chennai, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad on the same morning.

Globally, Mumbai ranked 483rd among the most polluted cities, reflecting a comparatively moderate pollution load when seen in an international context. The city's PM2.5 concentration was measured at 64 µg/m³, while PM10 levels stood at 79 µg/m³-both well above safe limits, but significantly lower than figures reported from several other Indian metros.

Within Mumbai, however, air quality varied sharply from one locality to another. Areas such as Kamgaar Nagar reported hazardous conditions with an alarming AQI of 621, driven by extremely high PM2.5 and PM10 levels. Other pollution hotspots included Charkop, Shivaji Nagar, Savitribai Phule Nagar, and Bandra Kurla Complex, where AQI values ranged from severe to unhealthy. On the brighter side, pockets like Dosti Acres recorded a 'Good' AQI of 39, offering brief relief and highlighting the uneven distribution of pollution across the city.

In contrast, New Delhi continued to struggle with severe air pollution. The capital recorded an AQI of 217, firmly in the 'Severe' category. PM2.5 levels in Delhi touched 148 µg/m³, while PM10 soared to 198 µg/m³, making it the most polluted among the compared metros. Winter conditions, low wind speeds, vehicular emissions, and regional pollution sources continue to trap pollutants over the city.

Chennai also fared worse than Mumbai, reporting an AQI of 190, categorised as 'Unhealthy'. PM2.5 and PM10 levels were recorded at 119 µg/m³ and 146 µg/m³ respectively, with several neighbourhoods slipping into the severe category. High humidity and stagnant atmospheric conditions contributed to the accumulation of pollutants across the coastal city.

Similarly, Hyderabad recorded an AQI of 166, while Bengaluru reported 163, both falling under the 'Unhealthy' category. Though their PM2.5 and PM10 levels were slightly lower than Chennai and Delhi, they still exceeded permissible limits, raising health concerns for residents, particularly children, the elderly, and those with respiratory conditions.

Experts note that Mumbai's relatively better air quality can be attributed to coastal winds, higher humidity, and occasional sea breezes, which help disperse pollutants. However, they caution that persistent construction activity, traffic congestion, and industrial emissions continue to keep pollution levels elevated.

While Mumbai may have outperformed other major cities today, the overall picture remains worrying. With AQI levels consistently above safe thresholds, authorities and citizens alike face mounting pressure to adopt cleaner transport, stricter emission controls, and sustainable urban planning to ensure healthier air in the days ahead.