The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has taken a significant technological leap in its fight against air pollution with the launch of the Mumbai Air Network for Advanced Sciences (MANAS). This independent, Artificial Intelligence-powered platform is designed to track the city's Air Quality Index (AQI) at an unprecedented hyperlocal level. The system was officially unveiled on Tuesday.
How MANAS Differs from Existing Pollution Monitoring
Currently, Mumbai's air quality is monitored through the Central Pollution Control Board's (CPCB) 'Sameer' platform, which integrates data from all major Indian cities. The city relies on 28 high-end Continuous Ambient Air Quality Monitoring System (CAAQMS) machines. While effective, each CAAQMS station covers an airshed within a 2-kilometer radius and represents the AQI of large areas like Andheri or Bandra.
The new MANAS portal, conceived and implemented by IIT-Kanpur, will deploy a denser network of 75 low-cost AQI monitoring sensors. This setup will provide data at a much more granular, neighborhood level. For instance, while the CPCB portal might show an overall AQI for Bandra, MANAS will be able to provide distinct readings for Carter Road and Pali Hill within that suburb. Similarly, it could offer specific data for Chakala and Saki Naka, rather than just a blanket reading for Andheri.
AI Integration and Sensor Technology
A key feature of the MANAS platform is its integrated AI tool. This system will not only collect data but also analyse historical trends to identify pollution causes and suggest mitigation solutions. Experts indicate the AI may even predict when AQI in a specific locality is likely to deteriorate.
The sensors themselves represent a cost-effective alternative. A single CAAQMS machine costs approximately Rs 1.6 crore for setup and five-year maintenance. In contrast, the MANAS sensors are compact, low-cost devices, roughly the size of a small radio. The BMC, in collaboration with IIT-Kanpur scientists, will first create a grid map of Mumbai to identify pollution hotspots and areas needing extensive monitoring before deploying the sensors on this integrated platform.
Roadmap to Public Launch
The authorities have outlined a cautious rollout plan. The portal is expected to be technically ready within six months. However, it will not be immediately accessible to the public. For the initial months, officials will monitor the sensor readings and calibrate them against data from nearby CAAQMS machines to ensure accuracy and troubleshoot any technical issues.
Only after this validation and debugging phase is complete will the portal be opened for citizen access. The BMC has targeted a public launch in the second half of 2026. This initiative marks a strategic shift towards data-driven, localized interventions to combat Mumbai's worsening air quality, empowering the administration with precise information to target pollution sources effectively.
