Page 9 - Air Pollution In India

Delhi schools to suspend physical classes till Nov 10 amidst high pollution

All schools in Delhi have been directed to suspend physical classes, barring classes 10 and 12, until November 10 in view of rising pollution levels, Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai announced on Monday. Pollution levels in Delhi-NCR on Monday morning were recorded around seven to eight times above the government-prescribed safe limit, as a toxic haze persisted over the region for the seventh consecutive day. On Sunday, Delhi Education Minister Atishi had announced closure of primary classes of all schools until November 10 and said schools have the option of teaching online for classes 6 to 12. However, all government and private schools opted to hold physical classes for classes 6 to 12. The 24-hour average Air Quality Index (AQI), recorded at 4 pm every day, worsened from 415 on Saturday to 454 on Sunday, prompting the Centre to implement all emergency measures mandated under the final Stage IV of its air pollution control plan called the Graded Response Action Plan ...

World Cup: In touch with medical panel - Sri Lanka on Delhi air pollution

As uncertainty surrounds their World Cup match against Bangladesh owing to the toxic air condition here, Sri Lankan cricket team manager Mahinda Halangoda said on Sunday that they are in touch with a medical panel and will abide by the decision of International Cricket Council (ICC) with regards to the game on Monday. Halangoda, however, clarified that Sri Lanka have not pleaded with the ICC for a change of venue for Monday's match. "We are constantly in touch with our medical panel back in Sri Lanka. Actually, the professor who is in charge is already in India. He had come for a conference and we are in touch with him through the team doctor. "Definitely we will be looking at the index. But obviously, we will be guided by the ICC and I think they have a medical panel here and, so, they will be giving us instructions. "Today when we came, we were told to wear masks. But it depends on what the outside index is, and then we'll make a call on it," said Halangonda. The Lankan team was

As air pollution turns 'severe', GRAP Stage 4 implemented in Delhi-NCR

The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) on Sunday decided to invoke Stage IV of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) in the entire National Capital Region (NCR) with immediate effect to prevent further deterioration of air quality.The Air Quality Commission said that Stage IV will be implemented in addition to the restrictions placed under Stage I to III."Keeping in view the prevailing trend of air quality and in an effort to prevent further deterioration of air quality in the region, the Sub-Committee today has taken the call to invoke all actions as envisaged under Stage-IV of GRAP 'Severe+' Air Quality (Delhi's AQI > 450), with immediate effect in the entire NCR. This is in addition to the preventive and restrictive actions mentioned under Stage 1, Stage II, and Stage III of GRAP," an official notification issued by CAQM read.According to the 8-point action plan, there will be a ban on entry of truck traffic into Delhi (except for trucks carrying essential ...

Air pollution leads to anxiety, decrement of cognitive ability: Doctors

As severely-polluted air has choked Delhi, doctors in the city have warned people, saying air pollution affects not just the lungs, but also other major organs, such as the heart and the brain, across all age groups. There has been a sudden increase in cases of headache, anxiety, irritation, confusion and decrement of cognitive abilities, especially among the vulnerable populations such as the elderly, schoolgoing children and pregnant women, Dr Neeraj Gupta, head of the pulmonary medicine department at the Safdarjung Hospital, told PTI. "Neurocognitive ability is directly linked to rising nitrogen dioxide, sulphur dioxide and carbon monoxide in the air as they impact the nervous system. "So gas chamber is a technically correct term to be used because of the rise of the concentration of harmful gases and not just particulate matter," he said. Gupta further said a study conducted in North Carolina among schoolgoing children has shown that the Air Quality Index (AQI) has a direct imp

Delhi LG holds meeting on air pollution, departments to issue advisories

Delhi Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena held a meeting with Environment Minister Gopal Rai amid severe air pollution in the city on Friday, in which a decision was taken to appeal neighbouring states, particularly Punjab, to check paddy stubble burning. The meeting also decided to adopt interim measures such as issuing advisories by the Environment department asking people, especially children and the elderly, to take extra care and remain indoors as far as possible, preparedness by the Health department and optimal use of mechanised road sweepers, water sprinklers and anti-smog guns. The meeting chaired by the LG could not be attended by the chief minister who was out of Delhi, according to a Raj Niwas statement. After the meeting, Rai told reporters that he urged the LG for issuing directions to senior officers to not "boycott" the government and attend meetings and remain cooperative and active for implementation of the decisions on the ground. "I also urged for action against the

Construction ban: Credai asks members to take anti-pollution measures

Amid a ban on non-essential construction in Delhi-NCR due to pollution, real estate developers' body Naredco on Friday extended support to the government but flagged concerns over delay in completing projects while builders' association Credai asked members to take anti-pollution measures at sites. Naredco National President G Hari Babu said pollution concerns everyone and conscious corporate, real estate developers are actively taking measures to curb the menace. The fraternity is with the government in fighting this menace, he said. "But we should understand that stopping construction for one month delays the project by at least three months. Besides, it also impacts livelihood. Since the sector is one of the largest employers of unskilled labour in the country, the ramifications are huge," Babu said in a statement. "Further, the developers also have obligations to financial institutions and to its customers for timely delivery, which, in case of delay leads to extra monetary bur

MPCB asks Tata Power to halve particulate matter emissions at plant

Tata Power on Friday said the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) has requested it to halve the particulate matter emissions from its generating unit here to help curb pollution. "MPCB has asked Tata Power to explore the feasibility of reducing the particulate matter from the stack from the present permissible 100 Mg/Nm3 to a more benign 50 Mg/Nm3," a spokesperson for the power utility said. Tata Power said Thursday's news reports about it being asked to halve production to help reduce pollution are "factually incorrect". Mumbai is witnessing very high air pollution despite its inherent advantage of being a coastal city. Experts have blamed the infrastructure and construction building activity and poor enforcement of regulations designed to curb pollution for the situation.

World Cup 2023: Rohit Sharma wants kids to live without fear of pollution

The unease in his voice was palpable as India skipper Rohit Sharma on Wednesday expressed deep concern about the vitiated air quality in Indian cities, saying the current situation is not ideal and it is important that future generations "get to live without fear". As is the scenario every winter, a deadly mix of fog and smoke has adversely affected Mumbai and Delhi -- the cities hosting World Cup matches. There are several factors contributing to the worsening air quality and BCCI swinging to action has announced that it won't allow display of fireworks during the remaining World Cup games in Delhi and Mumbai. "In an ideal world you do not want a situation like this but I am pretty sure that the concerned people are taking the necessary steps to avoid this kind of situation. It is not ideal and everyone knows that," Rohit said on the eve of the match against Sri Lanka in the financial capital of the country. Rohit, who has a five-year-old daughter, said the future generations dese

Mumbai govt identifies 6 technological measures to curb air pollution

Fitting vehicle-mounted air filters on 350 BEST buses, setting up virtual chimneys at traffic congestion spots, placing special streetlights and installing air purification systems in select gardens are some of the technological measures being identified to control air pollution in Mumbai. Among other measures and actions, the city civic body has ordered 30 vehicles mounted with sprinklers, also called fog cannons, while notices have been served to readymix concrete units, and industries have been directed to increase the height of chimneys, said Mumbai district guardian minister Deepak Kesarkar. He said there won't be a ban on bursting crackers but citizens should use their discretion and burst fewer crackers. "IIT (Bombay) has identified various companies and technology offered by them is used on a trial basis in Mumbai. The technology which proves effective in reducing pollution will be given priority. We have identified six technologies, including vehicles-mounted air filters,"

Delhi's air quality in October worst since 2020 due to lack of rainfall

Delhi's air quality in October this year was the worst since 2020 with meteorologists attributing it to the lack of rainfall. The capital recorded an average Air Quality Index (AQI) of 210 this October, compared to 210 in October last year and 173 in October 2021, according to Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data. Delhi saw just one rainy day (5.4 mm of precipitation) in October 2023, in contrast to six in October 2022 (129 mm) and seven in October 2021 (123 mm). The Centre's Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) said the average wind speed during October 2023 was relatively low and spells of absolutely "still" conditions were also observed during the month. According to CPCB data, the capital did not record even a single day with 'good' air quality, whereas there were two such days in 2022 and one in 2021. The CAQM, however, reported that Delhi registered an AQI of 172 from January 1 to October 31 this year, the second-best for the corresponding period in six years.

NDMC deploys anti-smog guns, sweeping machines to curb winter air pollution

As the city weather takes a turn, the NDMC has deployed mechanical road sweepers and hired eight anti-smog guns in a slew of measures to control pollution. New Delhi Municipal Council Vice Chairperson Satish Upadhyay on Saturday announced a comprehensive set of "Air Pollution Control" measures for 2023-24. "We recognise the urgent need to prioritize environmental well-being as air pollution, a significant contributor to respiratory diseases, heart conditions, and cancer, demands our collective attention," Upadhyay said ahead of the festival season. He said currently there are no dust hot spots in the NDMC area. The NDMC has deployed seven mechanical road sweepers, operating in two shifts with GPS tracking and wet sweeping. In all, these machines have covered a sweeping distance of 280-330 kilometers between April 1 and October 26, said the NDMC. All avenue roads are mechanically cleaned every day or on alternate days, under real-time monitoring done at the Smart City Integrated ..

Explained: What is GRAP, and how does it combat air pollution in Delhi NCR

Here is a closer look at Delhi's Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), what it entails, and measures citizens can take to help improve air quality in the national capital

India, Nepal neglected in int'l funding to tackle air pollution: Report

State of Global Aiir Quality Funding 2023--has been published by the UK-based Clear Air Fund in partnership with the Climate Policy Initiative

CAQM grants temporary exemption for diesel gensets for emergency services

This decision comes just two days before the scheduled implementation of GRAP

Delhi govt to allow diesel, petrol vehicles to be converted into EVs

The process of converting internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles into an EV involves changing the original engine and other related components and installing a new alternative powertrain

CSIR-NEERI plans grid-based strategy to combat Delhi's air pollution

The CSIRNational Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI) on Saturday said it will develop a grid-based mitigation strategy to tackle the air pollution problem in Delhi. Presenting the plan during the India Clean Air Summit (ICAS) 2023 in Bengaluru, S K Goyal, Chief Scientist and Head, CSIRNEERI, Delhi Zonal Centre, said: "We will develop a grid-based mitigation strategy, termed 'Local Area Management Plan' (LAMP), for each hotspot, for each season." The 'one size fits all' approach has rarely worked for air pollution mitigation, he said, adding that LAMP will allow policymakers to devise tailored strategies for pollution control within their jurisdiction, aligning with the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) goals. Inspired by a tile-by-tile concept, the approach involves segmenting the entire National Capital Region into a grid of tiles, each covering two sqkm. These tiles will be closely monitored through a network of stationary and mobile sensors over two ...

CAQM conducted over 2,900 surprise inspections in Delhi-NCR from Jan to May

The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) conducted over 2,900 surprise inspections in the January to May period and issued 147 closure orders against units that violated pollution control norms. Additionally, 51 industrial units faced closure directions for using unapproved fuels, including coal, a statement said. To ensure compliance with the pollution control laws, the CAQM has deployed 40 inspection teams and intensified inspections and enforcement efforts. From January to May, these teams conducted 2,901 surprise inspections across Delhi-NCR focusing on industrial units, construction and demolition sites, and commercial and residential units using diesel generator sets.

Delhi AQI 'severe', CAQM asks NCR to implement anti-pollution curbs

As Delhi's air quality deteriorated to the "severe" category on Monday due to unfavourable meteorological conditions, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) directed all NCR states to implement anti-pollution curbs with greater vigour. Delhi's 24-hour average air quality index (AQI) stood at 434 at 4 pm on Monday, worsening from 371 on Sunday. An AQI between 201 and 300 is considered "poor", 301 and 400 "very poor", and 401 and 500 "severe". An official of the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said low temperatures, calm winds and high moisture content led to trapping of pollutants. Considering the sudden spike in air pollution, the CAQM held an urgent review meeting with officials from Delhi and NCR states, including Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan, and directed them to implement the provisions of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) in the field with "greater vigour to prevent further deterioration of air quality". The commission also stressed on the need to

30% increase in number of respiratory patients this New Year, say doctors

Respiratory illnesses increase during the winter season due to air pollutants settling down in the atmosphere

New Haryana rules on stone crusher units may blunt the war on air pollution

Easing of proximity norms will not only impact air and water quality but could also turn vast tracts of farm land barred, say experts