Mumbai: The air, noise and water pollution is at an all time high in Mumbai, according to a Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) report. The major culprits for the worsening condition are the construction activities and vehicular traffic in the city.

The civic body's annual environmental report indicates that the air Mumbaikars breathe, the water they consume and the noise they are subjected to are all higher than prescribed limits.

Highlights of the report:

*Levels of pollutants like sulphur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, suspended particulate matter and ammonia have risen sharply at all monitoring sites.

*Carbon monoxide has increased by 63 per cent in the last three years.

*In the same period, suspended particulate matter showed an increase of 16 per cent.

*Nitrogen dioxide has increased by 8.94 per cent.

*Sulphur dioxide has risen by 7 per cent.

*Ammonia in the air has increased by 5.31 per cent.

While rampant construction activity and vehicular traffic are the main causes of pollution in the city, the government apathy has ensured that little is done to improve the environmental conditions.

"Environment is not a priority for the government agencies. But it is time that stringent policies are put in place," said Standing Committee member Rais Shaikh.

Such reports, however, are not the first of their kinds. Every year, the environmental reports on Mumbai reflect a grim picture of the city. If only the average growth of private cars reduces by 10 to 15 per cent, Mumbai could become a better place to live in.