Overall pollution lowers a bit in Mumbai: Kadam

Overall pollution in Mumbai has come down during 2014-15 so far compared to 2011-12 but not to the satisfactory level, Maharashtra Environment Minister Ramdas Kadam told Legislative Assembly here today.
In his reply on pollution levels during question hour, Kadam said as per a report on the status of environment, the water pollution levels in the city have gone down compared to previous year.
He was responding to the question raised by Prakash Faterpekar (Shiv Sena) and others.
As per the report, the percentage of samples of polluted water collected in the city came down to 10.84% in 2013-14 from 17.53% in the previous year.

The levels of air and sound pollution too had been found to be within the limits prescribed by Central Pollution Control Board, the minister said, adding the overall ratings of the status of environment for the city had increased in comparison to 2011-12.
During the discussion, the minister conceded the number of patients from Chembur and Mahul areas having respiratory and lung diseases is more compared to other areas.
Chest department of KEM Hospital and a health research group, EPRC have suggested the level of suspended particles and other pollutants in air needs to come down to reduce the diseases in these areas, the minister said.

To a question on measures taken by government, the minister said the state Pollution Control Board (MPCB) conducts regular surveys of industries, and acts against them if the levels are found to be unsatisfactory.