Right to live includes Right to breath.

Right to live includes right to breath

These days one can see fog all over Mumbai. If you are riding on sea link and look at land mass of Mahim and Dadar you will find that there is grey mist covering all skyscrapers in this view. As such this area of mahim causeway and Dadar chowpatty is normally very breezy place and any fog or pollution is not expected to stay here. Sea breeze should carry it away.

The misty atmosphere is also seen at SoBo, Eastern coast, Mulund (as seen from Airoli Bridge), Andheri, and Goregaon and so on.

This mist has created discomforts like throat infections, fever, and irritation in the eyes of people in these areas. Many Asthma patients have been advised to move out and stay in others areas like Deolali near Nasik or Mahabaleshwar etc.

As such like Delhi, Mumbai does not experience severe winter. Also there are no farmers around who are burning crops causing huge smoke. In that case what is the reason for this mist?

The Meteorology department has indicated that there is a drop in wind speed coming to Mumbai. This has resulted into increase in temperature and as well as for mist to stay over Mumbai.

It is difficult to believe this as a sole reason. There was cyclone Gaja which had stuck on eastern coast and huge winds created rains in southern part of the country. The mist in Mumbai is seen even at 12 noon in the afternoon. It just stays there.

The real reason is rampant construction activity in Mumbai which has brought cement and fine dust particles in air. This involves construction of skyscrapers, metro, monorail, flyovers, coastal road and Sewri -Uran sea link etc. Even Flamingos who visit us every year and it is a pleasure to witness them have decided to give a miss to this city. They can probably do this and find alternatives but for the human beings who are staying in Mumbai, what is alternative ?

The city has certain green patches and humming birds have made it as their home. This includes Powai Lake, Bhandup Pumping Station, Malabar hill and Sion fort. However this constant mist has made these places unlivable for them. If you see leaves of trees you will find dust on them. Dust on furniture at home is being cleaned by our maids, but then who is cleaning these outdoor locations?

The contributors of dust in city are dumpers carting away mud generated by underground drilling of Metro. While taking it away roads are spoilt and also lot of fine dust particles are released in air. Now there is a plan to use this mud to reclaim land in sea for coastal roads. This means Mumbai Sea will become muddier and it would become impossible to go inside the sea and wet our feet. Also what will happens to fish population in this sea? Would they be left to die?

Another cause of dust is numerous batching plants erected within city. The construction activity requires cement concrete and it is made at the site itself in batching plant. While making lot of cement fine dust gets added to the air.

Mumbai city has refinery, thermal power plant, and atomic reactor right next door. Assuming that pollution is going other way and not going to come to Mumbai is a wishful thinking. People at Mahul village have been asked to vacate due to refinery pollution. This location is very close to high rises of Chembur, Govandi and Vashi. What makes us think that there is pollution at Mahul and "All is well" at other neighboring parts?

Another point is, close your eyes and think that metro, flyovers, monorail, coastal road, sewri-uran sea link in Mumbai is complete. This may happen by 2030 or so. At that time travelling to work may become redundant and there may be no takers for these transportation models.

The first and foremost thing which we should do is that pray at Mandir, Masjid, Church, Gurudwara, fire temple and Synagogue for more breeze for MUMBAI. This will help in carting away of pollutants.

Another thing to do is to go and buy face mask for yourself as ‘Picture Abhi Baki hai’.

Datt Udas
Datt.udas63@gmail.com