Mumbai woke up to a distinctly wintry morning on Thursday, with clear blue skies, light winds and a refreshing nip in the air, a welcome change from the city’s usual warm, humid conditions. But beneath
the pleasant surface, a thin layer of haze lingered, underscoring the city’s persistent struggle with deteriorating air quality.
#WATCH | Maharashtra: Mumbai city wakes up to a layer of haze this morning. Visuals around Bandra.
CPCB (Central Pollution Control Board) claims that the AQI (Air Quality Index) around the area is at 119, which has been categorised as ‘moderate.’ pic.twitter.com/HwDdcAchiS
— ANI (@ANI) December 11, 2025
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecast a pleasant day ahead, with temperatures expected to range between 15°C and 32°C. However, Mumbai’s air quality painted a stark contrast. The city recorded an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 144 early in the morning, according to AQI.in, placing it in the ‘poor’ category.
Although slightly improved from last month’s alarming levels, the AQI remains unhealthy, particularly for vulnerable groups. Experts attribute the pollution to a combination of large-scale construction activity including metro lines, bridges, coastal road sections and widening projects as well as a surge in private construction, all of which continue to release dust and fine particulate matter into the air.
