Air Pollution

Expressing concern over rising pollution levels, the Congress on Sunday demanded an urgent review and upgradation of the National Ambient Air Quality Standards, 2009, and asserted that they must be enforced as well as monitored more effectively everywhere. Taking a swipe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Congress general secretary in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh said, "PM 56-inch has been exposed, PM 2.5 is for real." Ramesh also said the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) itself needs a laser-like focus on PM2.5. "PM2.5 that is, particulate matter with a diameter of less than 2.5 micrometers or lower measured in micrograms per cubic meter of air as emerged as the cause for a severe environment-public health crisis across the country," the former environment minister said on X. A study published in The Lancet Planetary Health in December 2024, based on data from 655 districts over 2009-2019, found that every 10 microgram per cubic metre increase in PM2.5 concentration leads

Overall air quality index stands at 151 with most monitoring stations in moderate category; clear skies and warm conditions expected across the national capital

Air quality stands at 135 in moderate category; strong surface winds and clear skies likely to aid further dispersal of pollutants across the national capital

Out of the 44 stations, 27 record 'poor' air quality while Punjabi Bagh turns severe at 368; IMD forecasts stronger surface winds that may help disperse pollutants and ease pollution levels

Overall AQI in the national capital was 176, with 35 stations in the 'moderate' category; IMD forecasts strong surface winds and clear skies to further improve air quality

The CAQM's expert committee is examining mandatory annual EV sales targets for automakers in Delhi-NCR, with thresholds rising each year towards a phased shift to 100 per cent electric vehicle sales

Majority of the city's monitoring stations report 'moderate' air, but some areas such as Anand Vihar remain polluted; temperatures likely to stay above normal with partly cloudy skies today

Air quality shows marginal improvement across Delhi, with 21 stations in the poor category; IMD forecasts clear skies, rising temperatures and no rainfall over the next seven days

Around 43 per cent of Rs 300 crore allocated under Pollution Control and Emergency Measures in the Delhi budget for 2025-26 has been utilised till January 20, 2026, according to an RTI reply. In response to an Right to Information (RTI) application filed by PTI, the environment department of Delhi government stated that Rs 129.83 crore has been spent under Pollution Control and Emergency Measures during the period. The expenditure was largely on short-term air pollution mitigation measures carried with funds disbursed to the Public Works Department by the environment department. According to the response, Rs 23.37 crore was spent on installation of mist spray systems on electric poles and central verges along road stretches in Delhi. Around Rs 58.83 crore was used for hiring 200 truck-mounted anti-smog guns, and Rs 47.12 crore was spent on another batch of 200 truck-mounted anti-smog guns hired in 2024-25. Additionally, the environment department was allotted Rs 506 crore for FY .

Majority of monitoring stations in the city record 'poor' AQI levels as Anand Vihar remains worst hit at 342; maximum temperature likely to touch 31 degrees Celsius

Monitoring stations like Anand Vihar and Wazirpur, record AQI above 300 even as clear skies and moderate winds prevail across the national capital

The Supreme Court on Monday sought responses of the union ministries on a proposal for shifting all coal-based industries out of Delhi-NCR to ensure better air quality. In a bid to deal with the persistent air quality crisis in the National Capital Region (NCR), a bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and justices Joymalya Bagchi Vipul M Pancholi said it will examine the issue of vehicular air pollution on March 12 based on the suggestions made by the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM). It also sought responses of all the stakeholders on the measures suggested by the CAQM to deal with dust due to construction and demolition activities. The top court sought responses of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), MoPNG (Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas) and the Ministry of Power on the suggestions that no new coal-based thermal power plant be set up within 300 km of Delhi. The court directed Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, and Rajasthan to issue publ

Twenty monitoring stations in the 'poor' category and 18 in 'moderate'; CAQM issues fresh statutory direction to tighten dust control and C&D waste management across Delhi-NCR

Nineteen stations record poor air quality as overall AQI rises to 203; temperatures set to climb above normal and morning mist likely to persist over the coming week

Light showers on Wednesday helped improve Delhi's air quality to moderate; CAQM lifts stage-II GRAP curbs as IMD forecasts AQI to stay in poor to moderate range over the next few days

The pollution monitoring body said Delhi's AQI has improved to 214 due to favourable weather and that forecasts indicated it was likely to remain in the poor to moderate category in the coming days

Air quality dips back into 'poor' category with several monitoring stations recording 'very poor' levels; IMD forecasts rising temperatures for today, and light rain with gusty winds on February 18

Light haze envelops Delhi as overall AQI reaches 209 at 8 am; 26 monitoring stations record 'poor' air quality and 13 remain 'moderate' even as weather remains and temperatures rise

Several stations report better readings compared to the previous day, yet Delhi's overall AQI stays 'poor' as misty mornings continue and maximum temperatures climb

The total economic cost of air pollution in India could have been as much as $260 billion in 2024, according to an analysis by Dalberg Advisors, which included impacts of reduced worker productivity