Mumbai To Deploy AI-Powered MANAS Network To Monitor Air Quality: How It Will Work

Mumbai is set to upgrade its air-quality monitoring with a new AI-based system developed by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and IIT Kanpur. The network, called the Mumbai Air Network for Advanced Sciences (MANAS), is meant to give the city a clearer and more localised picture of pollution levels at a time when air quality has been steadily worsening. Also Read: Vi 5G Services Expand To 8 New Cities, More To Join Soon: Check Full List Here

The project will increase the number of sensors across the city, adding 75 new units to the 30 already in place. With more sensors spread out, officials will be able to see how pollution changes from one neighbourhood to another rather than relying on readings from a few central stations. The new sensors will run on solar power, which means they will not need constant electricity like older systems. Also Read: Tesla Officially Debuts the Model Y in India With a Premium Price Tag

When Will It Start Working?

A report by the Times of India says the entire network will take roughly a year to become fully operational. Installation and testing will continue in phases before the system goes live across the city. Also Read: IPL's Mumbai Indians team comes to BGMI: Access these items

How the AI System Will Help

MANAS will collect real-time data from smaller sensors positioned at several points in Mumbai. These readings will help the system build a hyperlocal map, showing areas where pollution rises sharply during certain hours or because of certain activities.

At present, the city depends mostly on 28 Continuous Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Stations. These stations give a broader picture but often miss sudden spikes near construction sites, traffic-heavy roads, or industrial areas. The new setup aims to fill these gaps.

Once the system is active, the AI platform will analyse the data to spot patterns – for example, pollution increasing when traffic slows down or construction work picks up. This will make it easier for agencies to take quicker, targeted steps when air quality drops in specific locations.