Deepika Padukone Urges Mumbai Authorities to Act on Rising Pollution, Says ‘Children Are Choking’

Mumbai: Actor Deepika Padukone has called on Mumbai’s civic authorities to take urgent steps to address the city’s worsening air pollution, expressing concern over the health impact on children.

The actor, who was last seen in the film Singham Again, shared her concern through Instagram Stories on Thursday. Posting data on the city’s air quality, she highlighted that Mumbai’s average Air Quality Index (AQI) was around 150 and questioned why stronger action had not been taken.

“This city and its children are choking! How is this okay?” she wrote while tagging the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation and its health department in her post.

Padukone’s remarks also come as she experiences motherhood herself. She and actor Ranveer Singh welcomed their daughter, Dua Singh Padukone, on September 8, 2024.

Mumbai has seen a steady decline in air quality over the past year. Several areas have recorded AQI levels ranging from “poor” to “very poor”. In February 2026, citywide AQI readings were reported between 230 and 250, while localities such as Bandra Kurla Complex, Ghatkopar, and Mulund registered levels close to 290 — nearing the “severe” category.

Experts say construction dust is one of the biggest contributors to the problem. Large-scale redevelopment and infrastructure projects across the city release dust during excavation, demolition and debris transportation. Uncovered construction material further increases levels of fine particulate matter such as PM10 and PM2.5, which significantly affect air quality.

Civic authorities have acknowledged that poor compliance with dust-control norms at construction sites has worsened the situation. In response, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation has issued hundreds of show-cause notices and stop-work orders against violating construction projects. More than 1,000 projects have reportedly received stop-work notices as part of a crackdown on pollution.

The Bombay High Court has also criticised the civic body for insufficient enforcement of pollution control measures and warned officials over failure to comply with air-quality directives.

With inputs from IANS