The air quality in Mumbai has shown a notable improvement this year compared to the same period last year, according to official data released by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).
Last year, from December 1 to 16, the city’s air quality index (AQI) ranged between 158 and 167, while during the same period in 2025, the AQI remained in a range of 105 to 138.
Additional Municipal Commissioner Dr Avinash Dhakne has attributed the improving AQI levels to the sustained measures taken by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC). He urged citizens to refer only to the official CPCB data for air quality monitoring, available on https://cpcb.nic.in as well as the ‘SAMEER’ mobile app, to avoid misinformation.
Measures taken by Mumbai civic body
The BMC has been implementing a range of multi-level interventions to improve air quality across the city, which include:
Deep cleaning of roads using water tankers at 376 locations between December 1–16
Spraying with misting machines at 253 locations
Issuing ‘show-cause’ notices to construction sites violating guidelines in 353 cases
Issuing ‘stop-work notices’ in 121 cases.
These efforts have contributed to an improvement in air quality, which currently falls in the moderate category, said Avinash Kate, deputy commissioner of environment and climate change, BMC.
Daily AQI comparison (December 1–16)
| Date | 2025 AQI | 2024 AQI |
|
Dec 1 |
105 | 167 |
|
Dec 2 |
126 | 174 |
|
Dec 3 |
128 | 129 |
|
Dec 4 |
138 | 139 |
|
Dec 5 |
124 | 154 |
|
Dec 6 |
116 | 148 |
|
Dec 7 |
113 | 126 |
|
Dec 8 |
120 | 125 |
|
Dec 9 |
115 | 112 |
|
Dec 10 |
101 |
131 |
|
Dec 11 |
105 |
139 |
|
Dec 12 |
112 |
137 |
|
Dec 13 |
115 |
128 |
|
Dec 14 |
131 |
134 |
|
Dec 15 |
122 |
159 |
|
Dec 16 |
113 |
158 |
Citizens urged to cooperate
Authorities have again appealed to citizens to avoid burning waste or engaging in similar activities that increase pollution. Compliance with the civic corporation and CPCB guidelines is essential to sustain the positive trend in air quality and ensure a healthier environment in Mumbai, the BMC said.
On Wednesday, the city’s AQI remained moderate at 129, as per the SAMEER app. Experts have advised that people with respiratory or heart conditions, including asthma, may experience mild discomfort.
