MUMBAI: The Bombay High Court on Monday observed that Mumbai’s air quality had improved since its last directions of November 10 in a suo motu PIL on air pollution but said the Air Quality Index (AQI) data submitted by the state largely showed "moderate" levels. But these could still hamper breathing for seniors and children and those with certain health conditions, said the HC and called for a collective effort to bring the AQI below 50, the "satisfactory" level.
In a slew of directions passed, the HC significantly directed the Mumbai civic administration and the Maharashtra pollution control board to jointly inspect and monitor to "immediately ensure strict compliance of rules and norms at least at the seven big project sites in the city" that The Times of India (TOI) mentioned in a November 22 report as causing air pollution due to dust, dumped rubble and other factors. The HC referred to the TOI report titled, "Pollution Check at 7 sites generates heat and dust".
