The Maharashtra Environment and Climate Change Department on Saturday clarified concerns regarding recent air quality data reported by Awaaz Foundation in the lead-up to the TATA Mumbai Marathon 2025. A press note issued by Principal Secretary Vinita Singal highlighted the discrepancies in the monitoring methods used by the NGO and assured the public of accurate, regulatory-grade air quality monitoring during the event
Awaaz Foundation had conducted air quality monitoring on Friday at eight locations along the marathon route using Atmos sensor-based monitors. According to Singal, these monitors do not comply with the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) standards, which are mandatory for regulatory-grade air quality assessments
She has highlighted some key issues with the data presented by the NGO. According to Singal, the Atmos sensor-based monitors do not align with CPCB-approved methodologies, rendering the data non-comparable with regulatory air quality measurements
She also stated that Friday's weather conditions, including wind speed, temperature, and humidity, may differ significantly from those expected on the day of Mumbai Marathon 2025, making the data unrepresentative
Following the findings by the Awaaz Foundation on Friday, which reported unsafe levels of particulate matter (PM2.5) along the marathon route, MPCB on Saturday deployed mobile air quality monitoring vans to assess the situation firsthand
These vans are positioned at critical points along the marathon route, including Marine Drive, Churchgate, Mahim, Shivaji Park, Worli, Jaslok Hospital, Wankhede Stadium, Hotel Trident, CST, and Lilavati Hospital
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