Mumbai: woke up on Tuesday to what initially appeared to be a textbook winter morning, marked by clear blue skies, mild winds and a sharp chill in the air. However, the pleasant conditions were short-lived as a dense layer of smog soon settled over the city, reducing visibility and once again highlighting Mumbai’s worsening air pollution crisis.

Despite favourable weather conditions, air quality emerged as the city’s biggest concern. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the day was expected to remain bright and comfortable, with temperatures ranging between 18°C and 34°C. Yet, early morning commuters, walkers and schoolchildren encountered hazy surroundings and an acrid smell, particularly in low-lying and traffic-heavy zones.

Data from air quality monitoring platform AQI.in showed Mumbai’s overall Air Quality Index (AQI) at 163 during the early hours, placing it firmly in the ‘poor’ category. While this marks a slight improvement from the severe pollution levels recorded late last month, experts warn that the air remains unhealthy, especially for vulnerable groups such as children, senior citizens and those with respiratory or cardiac conditions.

The persistent pollution has largely been attributed to dust and fine particulate matter generated by the city’s continuous construction activity. Massive government-led infrastructure projects, including metro rail corridors, flyovers, coastal road extensions and extensive road-widening works, combined with a surge in private real estate development, continue to release pollutants into the atmosphere. Vehicular emissions during peak hours further compound the problem.

Several locations emerged as pollution hotspots. The Wadala Truck Terminal recorded a worrying AQI of 335, categorised as ‘severe’, posing serious health risks even to healthy individuals. Chembur and Powai followed with AQI levels of 263 and 210 respectively, both falling in the ‘unhealthy’ range. Deonar reported an AQI of 203, while the Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC), one of the city’s busiest commercial hubs, registered a poor reading of 190.

Suburban areas fared relatively better but were not entirely spared. Charkop recorded an AQI of 85, while Parel-Bhoiwada stood at 82, both classified as ‘moderate’. However, Mulund West (110), Borivali West (123) and Kandivali East (127) slipped back into the ‘poor’ category, reflecting the widespread nature of the pollution.

For context, AQI levels between 0–50 are considered good, 51–100 moderate, 101–150 poor, 151–200 unhealthy and anything above 200 hazardous. With large parts of Mumbai hovering close to or exceeding unhealthy thresholds, concerns continue to mount over the long-term health implications as winter progresses.

Mumbai, Dec 15: In a major step towards strengthening digital public healthcare, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) on Monday launched a health chatbot aimed at improving accessibility, transparency, and efficiency of healthcare services for citizens.

The digital service was inaugurated by State Minister for Information Technology and Cultural Affairs and Mumbai Suburban District Guardian Minister Ashish Shelar. The initiative marks another milestone in BMC’s ongoing efforts to integrate technology with civic health services.

As part of its digital transformation drive, the health chatbot will provide citizens with easy access to verified health-related information, including disease awareness, preventive care, public health campaigns, and details of nearby healthcare facilities. The chatbot is available on the mobile number 9892993368.

BMC Commissioner and Administrator Bhushan Gagrani said the initiative aligns with the civic body’s vision of making public health information easily accessible through digital platforms. Technology-driven services, he noted, will save citizens’ time and play a crucial role during healthcare emergencies.

Through the chatbot, citizens can access information on online OPD appointment registration, health certificates, licensing procedures, birth and death certificates, marriage registration, disability certificates, and maternity home licences. An online registration facility for health centres is expected to significantly reduce waiting times and improve convenience.

In the coming months, the chatbot will also provide details of state and central government health schemes. The BMC further plans to launch a dedicated healthcare website, along with OPD and bed-availability dashboards, to simplify access to health services and real-time information for Mumbai’s residents.

Mumbai, Dec 15: Actor Anuj Premchand Sachdeva, 40, was allegedly assaulted with a stick by another society member, Pradeep Singh, after the actor complained about a car being wrongly parked and later over Singh being angered by his dog barking, on the night of December 14 at Harmony Mall Residency in Goregaon West.

Following the incident, Sachdeva filed a complaint at the Bangur Nagar police station, and on Monday, an FIR was registered against Pradeep Singh. The incident caused a stir after the actor shared a video of the assault on social media.

According to the FIR, the actor resides in flat number 701 of Harmony Mall Residency, located on Link Road in Goregaon West. On Sunday, at around 10.30 pm, Sachdeva was walking his dog, named Simba, in the society’s parking area. At that time, he posted a photograph of a car parked out of a parking slot in the society’s WhatsApp group.

While the actor and his friend, Priyanka Pereira, were talking around 10.45 pm, an enraged resident, identified as Pradeep Singh, arrived at the spot and began arguing with him. Singh reportedly told Sachdeva that he would not remove his car and challenged him to do whatever he wanted.

During the argument, the actor’s dog barked, which further angered Singh. He allegedly picked up a wooden stick from the watchman and attempted to hit the dog. However, Pereira moved the dog away.

In a fit of rage, the accused then allegedly assaulted Sachdeva with the stick, striking him on the head, back, and right leg, causing injuries. Singh is also accused of threatening Pereira by saying, “You are a woman, stay at home,” and threatening to kill the actor.

Sachdeva recorded the attack on his mobile phone and later shared the video on social media. The altercation stopped after the society’s watchman intervened, following which the accused fled the scene in his car. The complaint further states that Singh threatened that the police could do nothing to him.

After receiving treatment at a private hospital, Sachdeva approached the police, who registered an FIR against Singh under Sections 118(2) (voluntarily causing hurt or grievous hurt by dangerous weapons or means) and 351(3) (criminal intimidation) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.

The actor also uploaded the video on Instagram and stated, “I am posting this evidence before this person tries to do any damage to me or my property. He tried hitting my dog and me with a rod for notifying the society group regarding his car, which was parked in the wrong place in the society parking lot in Harmony Mall Residency, Goregaon West. This person is from A Wing, flat 602. Kindly share this with people who can take action. I am bleeding from my head.”