The amount of toxicity in the air that Mumbaikars breathe has increased marginally due to a rise in PM2.5 concentration in the air, mainly contributed by the smoke that emanates from lakhs of vehicles daily. Mumbaikars' per capita healthcare costs can decrease by 16.7% if all vehicles in the city are shifted to electric or green fuel, as smoke and dust from the fast-growing vehicle population as well as older ones are putting lives at risk, stated a white paper published by an environmental scientist.
The paper suggested that transitioning all vehicles to greener versions, preferably EVs, would achieve a 29.1% reduction in toxic PM2.5 concentration in the air, eventually leading to a decrease in the per capita healthcare costs. According to Gufran Beig, the environmental scientist who founded SAFAR (System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting And Research), govt's first dedicated air monitoring network, shift to electric light commercial vehicles (LCVs) and buses alone would result in a 13.16% reduction in PM2.5 levels, with healthcare cost savings of over 10%.
Mumbai has among the highest vehicle populations in the country, totalling 4.6 million as of Dec 2024. Like many Indian cities, two-wheelers dominate its roads and total 3.01 million. There are also 1.05 million cars in the city, constituting 23% of the total vehicles. Mumbai has among the largest three-wheeler fleets in the country too, at over 4.1 lakh. The 30,392 buses and 1,65,472 commercial vehicles together make up around 4% of the total vehicle composition of the city. Notably, over 55% of three-wheelers and 39.4% of two-wheelers are older than 15 years. By contrast, commercial vehicles have a younger profile, with 43.1% of HCVs and 35% of LCVs below five years.
The amount of toxicity in the air that Mumbaikars breathe has increased marginally due to a rise in PM2.5 concentration in the air, mainly contributed by the smoke that emanates from lakhs of vehicles daily.
PM2.5 is a carcinogenic particle in the air of size 2.5 microns or less in diameter, whose level of concentration in the air decides the toxicity and thus the quality of air. The maximum annual mean concentration of PM2.5 allowed as per Indian standards is 40 micrograms per cubic meter while for 24 hours it should not exceed 60. PM2.5 is dangerous because it is so small that it can reach deep into the lungs and even the bloodstream, causing reduced lung function, increased risk of heart attacks, strokes and lung cancer.
Released on the sixth anniversary of the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP), a recent report by Respirer Living Sciences titled 'Toward Cleaner Skies: An In-Depth Analysis of Air Quality Improvements in Indian Cities (2019-2024)' had stated that Mazgaon was among the most polluted areas, attributed to dense traffic and industrial and construction activities. Other than Mazgaon, Worli, Malad West, Andheri-Chakala, BKC, Shivajinagar, Mankhurd, Deonar and Chembur showed higher levels of PM2.5. Experts said sea breeze from these localities carry the pollution towards the east which faces higher levels of smog.
