Mumbai: At a time when major cities in India, including the national capital New Delhi and economic capital Mumbai, are grappling with worsening Air Quality Index (AQI), citizens are unable to track the AQI as the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) server is down since December 31, 2024.
A senior official from the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) confirmed that the government data on Live AQI monitoring is available on the internet as the system is down and the National Informatics Centre (NIC) in Delhi is working towards solving the issue.
On Thursday evening, however, the CBCP website displayed Live AQI for some areas of Mumbai, while for other it said ‘Data Not available or insufficient data’. No CPCB AQI data was not available with a Google search.
The officer did not clarify the reason why the national AQI tracking was down at a crucial time when citizens are struggling to breathe clean air.
As far as Mumbai is concerned, the AQI since November has fallen to ‘Poor to Very Poor’ category and to control air pollution, the Municipal Corporation is implementing Dust Mitigation Plan and also stopped construction activities in areas like Borivali and Byculla where AQI was poorest.
The citizens however are questioning the timing of government server failure. “It is a bad start to the new year. At a time when we are demanding easier access to track daily AQI, including WhatsApp updates from CPCB for the benefit of citizens, we are failing to get any data at all. If the year starts this way, how will Mumbaikars be able to track pollution levels and work towards reducing it,” environmentalist Sumaira Abdulali said.
Abdulali pointed out that people do not have time to visit websites, put details or download an app for checking data like AQI. It should be as handy as possible so that people can take precautionary measures.
Pragati Shete, a resident of Chembur, said, “How can government data be unavailable when it is needed the most? The time for transparency and cleaner air is more urgent than ever. We plan our outdoor activities by checking weather conditions by Google search on the phone.”
Citizens say that although AQI levels are available on private websites on the internet, they cannot be trusted as much as government data.
Meanwhile, CPCB and MPCB have issued a Public Notice warning citizens on some fraudulent persons identifying as CPCB consultants and entering industries/construction sites to monitor air quality, seeking information and issuing notices.
The authorities have urged citizens not to entertain such people and inform CPCB/MPCB immediately. The Public Notice also states that are trying to contact/influence people, government officers as ‘Tamnay Kumar, IAS, Chairman of CPCB’ by creating fake profile. The citizens, government offices and industries are requested to stay alert.
Despite repeated attempts, MPCB member secretary Avinash Dhakane and BMC’s Chief Engineer (Environment) Avinash Kate were unavailable for comment.
Some of the areas with the poorest AQI on Thursday evening as per CPCB/Live AQI
Ghatkopar 160, Sion 145, BKC 135, Byculla 134, Mazgaon 131, Vile Parle West 125, Chembur 118, Powai 116, Borivali East 115, Sewri 102
