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GRAP 3 restrictions were revoked in Delhi-NCR on Thursday following improvement in air quality. In an order, the Commission on Air Quality Management said the AQI of Delhi had improved to 332 on Thursday, following which the restrictions were being relaxed. It said the weather forecast indicated that the AQI was likely to remain in the 'moderate' to 'poor' category in the coming days.
The winter tightened its hold across North India on Tuesday with snowfall in hilly states and lowering temperatures across northern India, including the national capital which recorded its first cold day of the year. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) predicted more light rainfall or snowfall in Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand. It noted that minimum temperatures were below 0 degree Celsius at many places in Jammu, Kashmir, Ladakh, Gilgit-Baltistan and Muzaffarabad, between 0 and 5 degrees at a few places in Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand and between 5 and 10 degrees at many places in Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan. In the national capital, the IMD said cold day conditions were likely on Wednesday as well, adding that maximum temperatures were observed in the range of 13 degrees Celsius to 16 degrees Celsius in Delhi. According to the IMD, cold day conditions are declared when the maximum temperature remains 4.5 degrees Celsius to 6.4 degrees Celsius below
Indraprastha Gas Ltd, India's largest city gas retailer, on Wednesday announced a Rs 0.70 cut in prices of natural gas piped into household kitchens for cooking in Delhi and NCR towns. The reduction in rates will be effective January 1, the company said in a post on X. "IGL has announced a substantial reduction in its domestic piped natural gas (PNG) prices this coming New Year for its consumers in Delhi and NCR by Rs 0.70 per standard cubic metre (scm)," it said. "The revised price after reduction shall be Rs 47.89 per scm in Delhi, Rs 46.70 per scm in Gurugram and Rs 47.76 per scm in Noida, Greater Noida and Ghaziabad." The reduction follows the sector regulator Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board's (PNGRB) recent overhaul of pipeline tariffs. Think Gas has already announced reductions in CNG and domestic PNG prices across multiple states ahead of the new tariff regime taking effect on January 1, 2026. PNGRB on December 16 announced a rationalised tariff structure for ...
As air quality in the national capital continues to deteriorate during the winter months, medical experts are flagging a noticeable rise in neurological as well as respiratory complaints, underlining the urgent need for sustained government action and public cooperation to curb pollution.Speaking to ANI, Dr Harsh Mahajan, Chairman of the FICCI Health Services Committee and Founder and Chief Radiologist at Mahajan Imaging & Labs, said that cases of chest pain, breathlessness, and allergic conditions have risen significantly; however, he added that it is difficult to determine whether the primary trigger is air pollution or temperature.He said, "In winters, we see an upsurge of people coming with breathlessness, chest infection, some allergic conditions... It is difficult to segregate how much of this is because of the low temperature and how much is due to pollution."He further stated that the government has implemented several steps to curb air pollution, including mandating BS6
More than 2.12 lakh new PUC certificates were issued following the strict implementation of GRAP-IV measures over the past four days, Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa said on Monday. The minister also warned of stringent action against polluting industries and private offices flouting work-from-home directives. Speaking at a press conference, Sirsa noted that weather conditions are expected to improve by Tuesday as the impact of a western disturbance recedes. He said 2,12,332 new Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificates were issued by late night on December 16. During the same period, approximately 10,000 vehicles failed the mandatory emission tests. Sirsa announced an intensified enforcement drive across the capital, saying polluting factories and industries will now be sealed without further notice. "Action will also be taken against industries that have not applied for the mandatory Online Consent Management (OCM)," he added. The minister warned private compan
More than one lakh vehicle owners applied for Pollution Under Control certificates in the last three days amid intensified enforcement against polluting vehicles in the national capital, Delhi Transport and Health Minister Pankaj Kumar Singh said on Saturday. Singh said the BJP government is working on long-term and data-driven solutions to address air pollution in the national capital, asserting that transport-related emissions contribute around 20-25 per cent to Delhi's overall pollution. Singh said that in the last three days, a large number of people have come forward to obtain PUC certificates. Over one lakh people registered for PUC certificates during this period, including more than 40,000 on December 19 alone, he added. The minister said officials from the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) and police are deployed at petrol pumps with cameras used to monitor vehicles. First-time violators are issued warnings, while repeat offenders face challans, he said, adding tha
At least 129 flights were cancelled at the Delhi airport on Saturday due to dense fog, according to an official. Flight operations have been disrupted for the past several days at Delhi and other airports due to dense fog, resulting in low visibility conditions. The official said at least 66 arrivals and 63 departures have been cancelled. "Low Visibility Procedures are currently in progress at Delhi Airport. All flight operations are functioning normally," Delhi airport operator DIAL said in a post on X in the afternoon. Delhi International Airport Ltd (DIAL) operates the Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA), the country's largest airport, which generally handles around 1,300 flights daily.
Amid severe pollution levels in the city, the Delhi High Court on Monday advised lawyers and parties-in-person to avail hybrid mode of appearance through video conferencing in their matters listed before it. Delhi choked under a thick blanket of smog on Monday, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) settling at 498, which falls in the higher spectrum of 'severe' category A circular issued by the registrar general of the high court said, in view of the prevailing weather conditions, I have been directed to convey that if convenient, members of the bar/ parties-in-person may avail hybrid mode of appearance through video conferencing facility in their matters listed before the hon'ble courts. On Sunday, Chief Justice of India Surya Kant also advised members of the Bar and parties-in-person to avail hybrid mode of appearance through video conferencing in matters listed before the Supreme Court in view of the prevailing weather conditions. Presently, the high court functions through a hybrid
The Supreme Court on Monday said it will list for hearing on December 17 a plea related to worsening air pollution levels in Delhi-NCR. A bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and justices Joymalya Bagchi and Vipul M Pamcholi took note of the submissions of senior advocate Aprajita Singh, who is assisting it as an amicus curiae, that though the preventive measures are there in place but the key issue was of their poor implementation by the authorities. Singh said till this court directs something, the authorities do not comply with the protocols which are already there. This is coming up before a three judges bench on Wednesday. It will come up, the CJI said. Another lawyer referred to an application relating to the health issue of children, and said schools, despite the earlier orders, are holding outdoor sports activities. Despite the order of this court, Schools have found ways and means to have these sporting activities.. it is taking place. The CAQM (Commission for Air ..