AQI Crosses 100 Amid Calls for Better Monitoring, Dust Control and Stricter Checks on Industrial Emissions.

The Concern

Navi Mumbai is witnessing a rise in air pollution, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) remaining above 100, raising concerns among residents and environmental activists.

According to a report, the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) recorded the city’s AQI at 103, while some private monitoring platforms reported readings above 130. The difference has prompted activists to demand greater transparency in air-quality monitoring. Environmentalists have identified construction activities, industrial emissions, vehicular traffic, road dust and rapid redevelopment as possible contributors to the worsening air quality. Residents have also expressed concerns about the impact of pollution on their health.

C.A. Vishnu Joshi, convenor of Parsik Greens, called for public access to air-quality data and monitoring records. Kapithra Kannapiran, founder of Owe Earth, stressed the need for additional monitoring stations, stricter checks on industrial emissions and stronger enforcement of pollution-control rules. Environmental activists have also highlighted the importance of protecting green spaces and promoting urban forests and green rooftops to help improve air quality.

Meanwhile, a Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) official said the civic body was coordinating with the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB). Measures include street cleaning, dust control and inspections of industrial units. However, questions remain over the differing AQI readings and the effectiveness of existing pollution-control measures. Residents and environmental groups are calling for more transparent monitoring and stronger action to address the city’s growing air-pollution problem.

Reduced rainfall and falling dam levels prompt authorities to suspend water supply on Tuesdays and Fridays.

The Water Cut

Uran in Navi Mumbai will face water cuts twice a week from October 27 due to declining water levels in Ransai Dam and insufficient rainfall. The decision is expected to affect Uran town, nearby villages and industrial areas that depend on the dam for their water supply.

Under the revised schedule, water supply will be suspended every Tuesday and Friday. The move comes amid growing concerns over the availability of water as dam levels continue to fall. Ransai Dam is a major source of water for Uran and its surrounding areas. The shortage has already affected several villages, including areas around Chanje and Kegaon. Residents in some locations have reportedly been receiving water for only around 30 minutes once every 15 days, making it difficult to manage their daily requirements.

The state government had also announced a 10 per cent water cut from October 16 amid concerns over water availability. Authorities have appealed to residents to use water carefully and avoid wastage. The shortage has also raised concerns among local residents and representatives about water management and delays in infrastructure projects.

With water levels continuing to decline, the administration faces the challenge of managing available supplies and ensuring that households, villages and industrial establishments receive adequate water. Residents have been urged to conserve water and prepare for the scheduled interruptions in supply.

Accused allegedly threatened to circulate objectionable videos, Rabale police are investigating the case.

Black-Mail

A gym operator in Ghansoli, Navi Mumbai, has been arrested for allegedly blackmailing his female business partner and extorting Rs 38 lakh by threatening to circulate objectionable videos. According to the police complaint, the woman and the accused, identified as Vivek Patil, had been business partners since 2021. The accused allegedly established physical relations with the woman against her consent and recorded objectionable videos.

He allegedly used the videos to threaten and blackmail her, repeatedly demanding money. Unable to bear the continued pressure and threats, the woman approached Rabale police station and lodged a complaint. Following the complaint, police arrested the accused and produced him before a court, which remanded him to two days of police custody.

Senior Police Inspector Balkrishna Sawant confirmed the incident. Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the alleged blackmail, the recording of the videos and the financial transactions involved in the case. The investigation is ongoing, and further details are expected to emerge as police examine the evidence. The allegations are yet to be established in court.