Daijiworld Media Network – Mumbai

Mumbai, Jan 11: For the second time in two weeks, the Central Pollution Control Board’s (CPCB) mobile application ‘Sameer,’ which provides real-time Air Quality Index (AQI) data for cities across India, experienced a temporary shutdown on Saturday due to ‘server issues.’ This occurred just as Mumbai woke up to foggy skies and worsening air quality.

Avinash Dhakane, CEO of the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB), explained that the app’s servers were undergoing upgradation and maintenance, a process typically carried out over weekends when traffic is low. "This is a temporary glitch, and it will be corrected soon," Dhakane assured.

The Sameer app aggregates AQI data and bulletins for citizens, but faced similar disruptions between December 31 and January 1 due to server-related issues. An official from the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation’s environment department confirmed that work is underway to restore the app’s functionality.

Meanwhile, Mumbai's AQI has worsened due to both climatic and manmade factors. According to weather expert Gufran Beig, fluctuations in the city’s weather, including a temperature dip, are contributing to the deteriorating air quality. “Being a coastal city, even slight changes in climate significantly affect the AQI,” Beig noted.

The India Meteorology Department (IMD) recorded Mumbai’s minimum temperature at 18.4°C on Saturday morning, 1.4°C higher than the normal range, further complicating the city's air quality issues.