Page 10 - Air Pollution

CAQM flags 29 pollution norm violations in enforcement drive in Sonipat

The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) detected 29 violations of pollution-control norms, including five at construction and demolition (C&D) sites, during a large-scale enforcement drive in Haryana's Sonipat on Friday, according to a statement. Twenty flying squad teams were deployed across conforming and non-conforming industrial clusters as well as C&D sites in the district on November 21 as part of the CAQM's intensified on-ground monitoring during winter months, according to the official statement issued by the Union environment ministry. The drive was carried out with the support of the district administration, including deputy commissioners, duty magistrates and police personnel, to ensure "smooth operations", the ministry said. Of the 101 sites inspected, 55 were in non-conforming areas where 21 violations were flagged, including two at C&D sites. In conforming industrial zones, officials checked 46 units and found eight violations, including three ...

Air quality 'very poor' for 9th consecutive day; 11 stations log severe AQI

There was little respite from toxic air for Delhi on Saturday as it continued to endure 'very poor' air quality, with the overall AQI settling at 370, while 11 monitoring stations logged readings in the 'severe' range. The 24-hour average Air Quality Index (AQI) settled at 370, in the very poor category for the ninth consecutive day, according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). The average AQI stood at 374 on Friday, 391 on Thursday, 392 on Wednesday, 374 on Tuesday, and 351 on Monday, data says. The CPCB's Sameer app, which displays AQI readings from all monitoring stations across Delhi, showed that out of 38 operational stations, 11 recorded air quality in the severe category on Saturday. These include stations at DTU, Bawana, Anand Vihar, Mundka, Narela, Rohini, Vivek Vihar, and others, where AQI levels crossed the 400 mark. As per CPCB standards, an AQI between 0-50 is 'good', 51-100 'satisfactory', 101-200 'moderate', 201-300 'poor', 301-400 'very poor' and 401-50

'Air pollution doesn't just damage lungs, also increases risk of dementia'

Speaking about whether Air pollution can cause stroke, Neurologist Joy Dev Mukherji dismissed these assumptions but suggested the risk of dementia

Diesel autos prohibited in Noida, Ghaziabad; phased ban in UP's NCR

Diesel autorickshaws are now banned in Noida and Ghaziabad after the Uttar Pradesh government ordered a phased ban on them across the UP cluster of the National Capital Region (NCR) in a move to curb vehicular emissions, officials said on Saturday. A comprehensive action plan is being rolled out to tackle rising air pollution in districts that are included in the NCR. Baghpat will also enforce a full ban after December 31, 2025. Road dust has been identified as a primary contributor to pollution in the region, with the action plan focusing on road redevelopment, intensified dust suppression and large-scale cleanliness drives, according to a state government release. Diesel autorickshaws will be completely banned with immediate effect in Gautam Buddha Nagar and Ghaziabad districts. The Meerut Regional Transport Authority has already stopped issuing and renewing permits for the restricted vehicles. By December 31 next year, diesel autorickshaws will also be phased out in Meerut, Hap

AAP slams BJP over AQI monitoring, says Grap measures not being implemented

Saurabh Bharadwaj alleged that the plans laid out under the Grap are not being properly implemented, with pollution allowed to run rampant through private construction

Grap IV measures now under Grap III as Delhi air quality stays 'severe'

With AQI levels soaring across the capital and NCR, residents faced another day of toxic smog amid ongoing Grap-III actions and weather-related stagnation

Delhi's air worsens as AQI remains 'severe'; parents seek school closures

NCR battles hazardous smog as AQI stays severe for days, with parents urging school closures and authorities considering stricter GRAP measures

IntrCity rolls out buses with air purification amid rising pollution

IntrCity said it has begun rolling out a new fleet fitted with air-purification and real-time monitoring systems, aiming to reduce in-cabin pollution on long-distance routes across North India

Delhi's air quality stays 'severe' as AQI crosses 400; SC asks CAQM to act

Supreme Court gives CAQM 'full authority' to take proactive, stakeholder-backed measures to tackle Delhi-NCR's worsening air pollution

Delhi govt waging war on pollution, citizens must join effort: Sirsa

Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa said on Wednesday the government is waging a war against pollution and urged people to join its efforts to improve the city's air. He said 62 new pollution hotspots have been identified, and work is underway to address them. Solid waste, road dust, construction activity and traffic congestion are the main factors pushing Delhi's air quality index higher, Sirsa told reporters. "Sixty-two hotspots have been identified that contribute to pollution caused by garbage and dust. All Delhi government ministers, under Chief Minister Rekha Gupta's instructions, are inspecting these hotspots," he said. He appealed to residents to support the drive to make Delhi free of garbage, dust, and pollution. "Delhi government is waging a war against pollution. This needs to be fought together, and I appeal to people to join in to make Delhi garbage, dust and pollution-free," he said. Sirsa inspected one of the hotspots in the Palam area along with the

Delhi's air quality remains 'very poor'; winter smog sets in, mercury sinks

Delhi-NCR records slight improvement in AQI but it may worsen as mercury dips under 10 degrees Celsius; Supreme Court urges long-term pollution plan

Delhi pollution: SC seeks response on efficiency of AQI monitoring stations

SC asked the Delhi government to explain the efficiency of its AQI monitoring equipment after concerns that water spraying near stations could distort pollution readings amid rising health worries

Pollution-linked claims surge: Why health insurance premiums are set to rise

Health insurers are considering a 10–15% hike in premiums and city-based pricing as hospitalisation claims tied to worsening air pollution spike across major cities.

Can jaggery really protect the lungs from pollution, or is it just a myth?

As air quality dips and jaggery resurfaces as a "lung cleanser", experts say the belief rests on nostalgia and old animal studies, not human science, and explain what actually helps

Farmers in Punjab recycle crop waste, aim to reduce worsening air pollution

Stubble burning every winter is a major contributor to New Delhi being one of the world's most polluted cities, with the smoke combining with vehicle exhaust, dust and remaining trapped in atmosphere

Delhi sees small AQI improvement but pollution stays in 'very poor' band

Delhi's air shows only marginal improvement as smog persists; Supreme Court prepares to review the worsening pollution crisis

Insurers mull premium hike as claims mount due to rising air pollution

Health insurers are weighing 10-15% premium hikes and city-based pricing as pollution-linked claims rise sharply across metros, driven by increasing health complications and higher medical costs

Winter smog grips Delhi, AQI stays 'severe' despite emergency measures

Delhi's air quality plunged into severe category as AQI levels crossed 400 at most stations, with winter conditions, dust, traffic and stubble burning worsening pollution despite curbs

Delhi chokes on toxic air as IMD issues cold-wave alerts across regions

In its latest attempt to curb extreme pollution levels, the Centre's air pollution mitigation body is considering installing dust sensors along major stretches of Delhi and adjoining NCR cities to mon

An escape from India's air pollution for those who can afford it

Companies are offering much-needed, but expensive, air purification systems to shelter from the smog in one of the world's most polluted cities