Mumbai is hostage to air and water pollution at dangerous levels, and is probably the n the world, ahead of Delhi and Kolkata. Maharashtra’s economic survey, released a day before World Environment Day (Thursday), paints a grim picture for the rest of the state as well. Of particular concern is growth in solid waste, which needs incineration, against a decline in waste that is recyclable or can be used as landfill. This is a threat to soil and groundwater. “The data shows that the city is the noisiest in the world and poses a serious threat to one’s ears, brain and heart. Almost every area in Mumbai has high sound levels. The administration should have the strong will to implement a stringent enforcement mechanism, “said environmental activist Sumaira Abdulali. Air pollution has serious health implications, including strokes and heart attacks, and in extreme cases lung cancer, said Dr Altaf Patel, former professor at J J Hospital and presently a director of medicine at Jaslok Hospital. “The more you breathe fresh air, the more is your life expectancy, “he said. “As for water pollution, especially by heavy metals, it can lead to heart attacks and cancer, besides causing hypertension and mental disturbance.“ 2 of 5 accidents in state occur in its capital umbai accounted for 38% of road accidents in Maharashtra during M 2013, according to the state’s economic survey, which is a percentage up from the preceding two years. While the number of accidents per 10,000 vehicles in Maharashtra was 30 in 2013, for Mumbai it was 109. The total number of on-road motor vehicles in the state as of January 1, 2014 was 228 lakh (20,504 vehicles per lakh population, which translates into one vehicle for a family of five), an increase of 9.4% in a year. Over 23 lakh vehicles (10.2% of total) are in Mumbai. As evidence of growing congestion in the city, the survey found the number of vehicles per km of road length to be 94 in the state and 700 in Mumbai. TNN

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