Juhi Chawla questions strange diesel-like smell in Mumbai amid post-Diwali air pollution

Actor Juhi Chawla has raised concerns over an unusual burnt-fuel-like smell lingering across Mumbai, asking residents whether they too have noticed the odour over the past few days.

Chawla took to X, formerly Twitter, on Thursday, November 12, to seek an explanation for the smell, which she compared to kerosene or diesel. She said she had been noticing it from early morning and at different times throughout the day.

"Will someone please tell me what this strange burnt-fuel smell in the air is..?? Almost like kerosene or diesel. I've been noticing it for several days now, from early morning and at different times through the day. Is anyone else smelling this too? Let me know," she wrote.

The actor's post comes amid growing concerns over Mumbai's deteriorating air quality following Diwali celebrations. However, no specific cause for the smell she described has been established.

Mumbai's air quality worsens after Diwali

Mumbai recorded an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 171 on November 9, marking a 28% rise compared with the reading of 134 recorded on the day after Diwali last year.

Air quality at eight monitoring locations across the city entered the 'poor' category. Firecracker emissions were identified as a major contributor to the deterioration, with smoke from celebrations adding to the pollution burden.

Health experts have warned that exposure to fine particulate matter can cause respiratory irritation, cardiovascular complications and systemic inflammation. Children and senior citizens are particularly vulnerable to the effects of prolonged exposure.

Chawla is not the only member of the film industry to have raised concerns about pollution and firecracker use. Actor Soni Razdan had also criticised the practice in a social media post earlier in November, highlighting the impact of poor air quality on children's health.

Firecracker-related incidents prompt BMC restrictions

The worsening air quality has coincided with a sharp rise in firecracker-related emergencies across Mumbai. Between November 6 and November 9, the Mumbai Fire Brigade received 282 fire calls, of which 200 were attributed to firecrackers.

November 8 saw the highest concentration of such incidents, with 137 of the 142 fire calls received that day linked to crackers. One person died in a fire incident during the period.

Following the spate of incidents, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) imposed a ban on rockets and other aerial firecrackers across Mumbai until November 25. The restriction covers the use of such fireworks in public as well as private spaces.

The order came into effect on November 9 and is aimed at preventing further fire incidents caused by rockets and other sky-flying fireworks.

Chawla's post has brought renewed attention to the concerns surrounding Mumbai's air quality, with residents seeking answers about the unusual smell and the sources of pollution affecting the city.