Bollywood star Deepika Padukone has expressed her dismay at the Maharashtra administration’s inability to control air pollution in Mumbai. Sharing the city’s average Air Quality Index (AQI) data on Instagram, she highlighted the AQI hovering around 150, calling attention to the city’s alarming pollution levels. Deepika’s concern is amplified by her role as a mother to Dua, her daughter with actor Ranveer Singh, born in September 2024.
The air quality in Mumbai has significantly deteriorated over the past year, with various areas reporting AQI levels ranging from “poor” to “very poor.” In February 2026, the citywide AQI readings peaked at 230–250, while specific regions like BKC, Ghatkopar, and Mulund recorded levels nearing 290, nearing the severe category. The surge in construction activities, leading to increased dust emissions from excavation, demolition, and transportation, has been identified as a primary contributor to the worsening air quality.
Authorities have recognized that unregulated construction practices play a pivotal role in exacerbating pollution levels. In response, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has issued numerous show-cause notices and stop-work orders to construction sites flouting dust-control regulations. More than 1,000 construction projects in Mumbai have faced cessation orders as part of the crackdown on pollution. Additionally, the Bombay High Court has reprimanded civic bodies for their lax enforcement of pollution control measures, cautioning against non-compliance with air-quality directives.
