Page 2 - Air Pollution In India

India's air pollution killed 2 mn in 2023, worsening chronic diseases: Study

Air pollution is driving a wave of chronic, life-threatening illnesses across India, the State of Global Air 2025 reveals, with most deaths tied to non-communicable diseases.

Diwali night fireworks send PM2.5 levels skyrocketing in Delhi-NCR

Delhi's air quality sank into the 'very poor' category post-Diwali, with PM2.5 touching a five-year high of 488 µg/m³; cracker smoke and calm winds blamed for the spike

Delhi air quality remains 'poor' ahead of Diwali, temperatures dips

The national capital on Saturday recorded a minimum temperature of 19.6 degrees Celsius, 1.2 notches above the season's average, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). Relative humidity was recorded at 87 per cent at 8.30 am. The maximum temperature is expected to settle around 32 degrees Celsius, the IMD said. The weather department has forecast mist and fog on Saturday and Sunday. Delhi's Air Quality Index (AQI) remained in the 'poor' category, with a reading of 252 at 9 am, Central Pollution Control Board data showed. An AQI between zero and 50 is considered 'good', 51 to 100 'satisfactory', 101 to 200 'moderate', 201 to 300 'poor', 301 to 400 'very poor', and 401 to 500 'severe'.

Delhi's AQI hits 211; CAQM implements Grap Stage-I pollution curbs

The CAQM said that Delhi recorded an AQI of 211 (poor) on Tuesday, which is expected to remain in the same category in the coming days

Delhi's air pollution forecasts miss PM2.5 levels by up to 35%, says CEEW

Delhi's Air Quality Early Warning System underpredicts PM2.5 levels by 30-35% due to outdated emission inventories, highlighting need for regular updates to improve forecasts and decision-making

Air pollution shortens average Indian's life by 3.5 years: Report

All of India's 1.4 billion people live in areas where annual average particulate pollution levels exceed the WHO guideline and even those in the cleanest regions of the country could live 9.4 months longer if the air quality met global standards, according to a new report. The Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago's (EPIC) 2025 report said PM2.5 concentrations in India in 2023 were higher than in 2022. These levels are more than eight times higher than the WHO guideline and reducing them to permanently meet the global standard would add 3.5 years to the average life expectancy of Indians. According to the WHO's 2021 air quality guideline, the annual average limit for PM2.5 is 5 micrograms per cubic metre, while for PM10 it is 15 micrograms per cubic metre. These limits are far stricter than India's own standards, which currently allow 40 micrograms for PM2.5 and 60 micrograms for PM10. The report said 46 per cent of India's population lives in areas where annual PM2

Turning crop waste into rural gold: Biomass co-firing needs policy push

India generates over 500 million tonnes of agricultural residues annually.

Delhi-NCR records cleanest July in a decade, AQI remains 'satisfactory'

Among the monitoring stations, Punjabi Bagh recorded the lowest AQI at 50, followed closely by Bawana at 51 and Vivek Vihar at 55. All three readings fall in the 'good' category

Only clean fuel buses allowed in Delhi from November 2026, says CAQM

CAQM's announcement comes a day after CM Rekha Gupta unveiled Delhi's 25-point Air Pollution Mitigation Plan 2025, which includes electric buses, e-autos, and ANPR cameras

Maharashtra may deny fuel to unfit vehicles to curb air pollution: Minister

The Maharashtra government is considering a policy to deny fuel at petrol pumps to unfit vehicles that contribute to air pollution, state Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik said on Tuesday. During a review meeting with senior officials of the Motor Vehicles Department at Mantralaya, Sarnaik said a stringent policy in this regard will be in place soon. With the increase in the number of vehicles on roads, especially those running on conventional fuel, air pollution has risen at an alarming rate, he said in a release. Though every vehicle is required to possess a valid Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificate, there are reports of fake or improperly obtained certificates, the minister said. "Only vehicles with valid certificates will be allowed to refuel. 'No PUC, no fuel' will be the guiding principle of the new policy," he said. Sarnaik also pointed out that technically unfit vehicles were responsible for the deteriorating Air Quality Index (AQI) in urban areas, and to address thi

Gurugram gasps for air as Bandhwari fire doused, but toxic fumes fill sky

A fire that broke out at the Bandhwari landfill site in Gurugram two days ago has been doused but the locals are grappling with the toxic fumes that have filled the sky. A local resident said the repeated fires in the garbage mountain in Bandhwari landfill site have caused more trouble for the people living nearby. The smoke generated from these fires makes them gasp for air, the resident said. According to officials, over 25 fire tenders were deployed to control the fire that broke out at the landfill site two days ago. It took firefighters 16 hours to completely douse the blaze, they said. However, it was not the lone incident in the area. In 2024, more than 70 fire incidents were reported in the Bandhwadi landfill site between March and June. Methane gas builds up under garbage in landfills due to the decomposition of organic waste in the absence of oxygen. When it comes in contact with air, it catches fire immediately, according to a Municipal Corporation Gurugram (MCG) ...

How ground-level ozone is making Delhi's air more deadly for residents

Ground-level ozone breached safe limits daily across Delhi-NCR this summer, exposing millions to serious respiratory risks and worsening the city's air quality

Air pollution levels across India well above global standards: WHO official

Strategies like LPG subsidies and a switch to cleaner cooking fuels could help India become a leader in meeting this challenge, says Dr Maria Neira, director of environment and health at WHO

Nitin Gadkari warns Delhi's toxic air can cause infections in 3 days

In Gadkari's view, road infrastructure and alternative fuels are central to solving India's pollution crisis, as Delhi's air continues to pose serious health risks

Draft EV Policy 2.0 seeks ban on petrol, diesel & CNG 2Ws from Aug 2026

The Draft EV Policy 2.0 recommends Delhi could stop new CNG auto permits from Aug 15, 2025. If a private car owner already has two vehicles, any further purchase must be an electric vehicle

Delhi's air quality remains in 'moderate' category, AQI drops to 140

Air quality across Delhi-National Capital Region (NCR) improved, remaining in the 'moderate' category

Delhi's 'satisfactory' air was temporary, pollution crisis continues

Year after year, India cities are failing to breathe easily due to hazardous levels of pollutants

CM Rekha Gupta launches major campaign to tackle Delhi's air pollution

The Delhi government has launched an extensive campaign to combat air pollution and improve the city's air quality with focus on reducing dust, managing traffic congestion and enhancing public transport, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said on Sunday. The steps are all aimed at making the national capital cleaner and healthier, according to a statement. Gupta emphasised that making Delhi pollution-free was the city government's top priority. "We are committed to implementing scientific and sustainable solutions to improve air quality and ensure a clean, green and healthy future for Delhi's residents." As part of the plan, the entire Ring Road will undergo regular mechanised sweeping and water sprinkling to prevent dust buildup. Gupta also ordered strict enforcement of dust control measures at construction sites. To further tackle pollution, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi, public works department, Delhi Development Authority and other road-owning agencies have been instructed to pla

India ranks fifth in polluted air globally in 2024, says IQAir report

Six of the world's ten most polluted cities are in India; the country marginally improved its position from number three in 2023

Delhi's air quality returns to 'poor' after a brief period of relief

Delhi also remained the most polluted capital in the world, according to World Air Quality Report 2024 released by Swiss air quality technology company IQAir