Mumbai's air quality drops owing to scanty rainfall
The city’s air quality on Monday slipped from the ‘good’ to ‘satisfactory’ category for the first time in three months since the onset of the monsoon in June.
The Air Quality Index (AQI) recorded on Monday for PM10 was 55 and PM 2.5 was 31, while just 12 days earlier, on August 16, the AQI of PM 2.5 in Mumbai was 10 (lowest ever recorded for the second time). PM (particulate matter) is a microgram per meter, which is used to measure the size of the pollutants, the smaller the PM, the higher the toxicity levels of the pollutant.
As per the System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting And Research (SAFAR), Mumbai was experiencing some of the most clean-air days owing to the monsoonal conditions.
Commuters, check the latest update on local trains here
BEST to introduce 1,000 e-bikes in city
Last mile connectivity is essential to promote usage of public transport. The BEST undertaking, thus, is introducing one thousand e-bikes across the city to improve last-mile connectivity.
At present, 60 e-bikes are in service in Andheri. By the end of this year, the service will be extended to all major BEST depots and stations across the city.
A BEST official said users need to download an app to unlock the e-bikes and avail of their services. Notably, non-BEST commuters who download the app can avail of the service.
The base fare of an e-bike will be Rs 20, after which the users will need to pay Rs 3 per km. A fare structure will also be available according to time consumption. Users will need to pay Rs 1.5 per minute for the first 40 minutes and then Rs 2 per minute.
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