Page 22 - Air Pollution

Delhi records 'poor' AQI again as Grap rule changes spark confusion

Amid the confusion over Grap curbs, Delhi woke up to 'poor' air quality on Tuesday, a slight improvement from the 'very poor' category recorded the previous morning

AQI in Delhi improves slightly, schools in NCR to resume physical classes

On Saturday, the AQI in the national capital was recorded at 248 after witnessing a marginal improvement from Friday, when the air quality was at 294

With Grap-3 curbs lifted, Delhi govt orders resumption of physical classes

The Delhi government has issued a notice directing all schools to resume physical classes after anti-pollution measures were lifted in the national capital. The Directorate of Education (DoE), in a notice dated January 17, said the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) had decided to lift measures under Stage III of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) with immediate effect. As a result, all classes in both private and government schools will be conducted in physical mode, effective immediately, it said. The DoE said in the notice, "...all government, government unaided, unaided recognised private schools of the DoE, NDMC (New Delhi Municipal Council), MCD (Municipal Corporation of Delhi), and the Delhi Cantonment Board are informed hereby to resume offline classes. Thus, all classes in all schools are to be held in physical mode with immediate effect." The DoE also instructed the heads of the schools to promptly inform students, staff and parents about the decision. Regu

Grap Stage 3 curbs lifted as Delhi's AQI improves, still in 'poor' category

On Saturday morning, Delhi woke to a layer of dense fog that blanketed the city, significantly reducing visibility and causing disruptions in traffic

Delhi air quality improves after rainfall, but AQI still in 'poor' category

The improvement in air quality coincided with the revocation of Stage 4 of the Graded Response Action Plan (Grap) on Thursday

Centre's air quality panel revokes Grap-4 curbs as pollution levels dip

The Centre's panel on Delhi-NCR's air quality on Thursday revoked curbs under stage 4 of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) amid dip in pollution levels, according to an official order. The curbs were imposed Wednesday as calm winds, low temperatures and foggy conditions allowed accumulation of pollutants in the region, with the air quality index clocking 396 last evening. Stage 4 curbs include a ban on all construction activities, entry of non-essential polluting trucks into Delhi, and mandatory shifting of school classes, except for classes 10 and 12, to hybrid mode. Non-essential diesel trucks are prohibited from entering Delhi, while Delhi-registered BS-IV and older diesel-run heavy goods vehicles are banned, except for essential services under Stage 4. During winters, the Delhi-NCR region enforces restrictions under GRAP, which categorizes air quality into four stages Stage 1 (Poor, AQI 201-300), Stage 2 (Very Poor, AQI 301-400), Stage 3 (Severe, AQI 401-450), and Stage 4

Despite overnight rain spell, Delhi's air quality remains 'very poor'

It is expected that the air quality in the Delhi-NCR region may improve as the day progresses due to the rain spell

Hybrid classes for Delhi schools except classes 10, 12 amid poor air

The Delhi Directorate of Education (DoE) Wednesday directed all schools to conduct hybrid classes for students up to class 9 and that of class 11 after curbs under stage four of the Graded Response Action Plan were invoked in the city amid a sharp dip in air quality. Calm winds, low temperatures and foggy conditions allowed the accumulation of pollutants in the region, with the air quality index soaring from 275 on Tuesday to 396 at 6 pm on Wednesday. The India Meteorological Department and the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology predicted that AQI may breach the 400 mark soon. Accordingly, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) directed authorities in Delhi-NCR to "straightway invoke" all actions under stages 3 and 4 with immediate effect. In a circular, the DoE stated, "All heads of government, government-aided, unaided private schools under DoE, NDMC, MCD, and the Delhi Cantonment Board are directed to conduct hybrid classes for students up to Class 9 and 11, ...

Delhi's air quality dips to 'very poor'; proposed rain may improve AQI

Delhi-NCR remains gripped by a severe cold wave, with dense fog reducing visibility to near zero in various parts of the capital

Delhi records 'poor' AQI amid cold wave; dense fog reduces visibility

Delhi air quality: As the city remains under the grip of a cold wave, dense fog reduced visibility across various areas

CAQM revokes stage-III Grap measures as Delhi's air quality improves

Despite the easing of Stage-III restrictions, authorities have urged citizens to adhere to GRAP-II guidelines, particularly as weather conditions during winter can exacerbate pollution levels

Delhi continues to breathe 'severe' air; weekend rain likely to improve AQI

Amid the sharp deterioration in air quality due to unfavourable weather conditions, the Centre's panel on Delhi-NCR air quality reinstated Stage 3 anti-pollution measures

A tale of two cities: Delhi's air more toxic than LA's wildfire-hit skies

While LA's wildfires and resultant pollution have triggered immediate public health warnings and school closures, Delhi's residents endure severe air pollution with little comparable response

Delhi's air quality remains in 'very poor' category, AQI stands at 322

An intense cold wave swept through Delhi early Wednesday, causing a sharp drop in temperatures and bringing chilly winds

Indian cities reduced PM2.5 pollution levels by 27% from 2019-24: Report

Indian cities achieved an average 27 per cent reduction in PM2.5 pollution levels from 2019 to 2024, with those under NCAP alone recording a 24 per cent decline, a new report has found. According to the report by climate tech firm Respirer Living Sciences, Varanasi and Moradabad reduced PM2.5 levels by 76 per cent and 58 per cent, respectively. Other top performers include Kalaburagi (57.2 per cent), Meerut (57.1 per cent), Katni (56.3 per cent), Agra (54.1 per cent), Baghpat (53.3 per cent), Kanpur (51.2 per cent) and Jodhpur (50.5 per cent). "Air quality has improved considerably, with a 27 per cent decline in PM2.5 levels across all monitored cities since 2019. NCAP (National Clean Air Programme) cities alone achieved a 24 per cent reduction, showing progress in combating air pollution," according to the report. Despite the improvements, several cities remain highly polluted. In 2024, Delhi recorded PM2.5 levels of 107 microgrammes per cubic metre while Byrnihat in Assam report

Delhi AQI remains in 'very poor' category as mercury dips further

Despite the rain lashing parts of the national capital on Monday, December 6, Delhiites did not get any relief from the worsening air quality

Delhi air quality improves slightly but remains 'very poor' for 5th day

Experts anticipate that the air quality will improve to the "poor" range by Tuesday, thanks to the expected rainfall

Delhi chokes as air quality stays 'very poor'; AQI hits 400 in many areas

The AQI levels fell into the "severe" category in areas like RK Puram (401), Siri Fort (426), Patparganj (410), and Dwarka Sector-8 (405), among others

Delhi's air quality worsens; 'very poor' AQI prompts GRAP Stage III curbs

In response to the worsening air quality, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) announced the reimplementation of stricter pollution control measures under Grap Stage III

Mumbai's Navy Nagar, Shivaji Nagar reports poor air quality of AQI over 200

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) on Friday said it was monitoring pollution levels in Navy Nagar and Shivaji Nagar as the Air Quality Index (AQI) in these areas has exceeded 200. It will implement the same measures in these two areas as implemented in Borivali East and Byculla where the air quality has improved, said municipal commissioner Bhushan Gagrani. An AQI between 200 and 300 denotes 'poor' air quality. "Currently we are keeping a watch on Navy Nagar and Shivaji Nagar," the commissioner said at a press conference. If the situation (AQI level above 200) remains unchanged, action such as stopping construction works will be taken, Gagrani added. Navy Nagar is located on the southern tip of Mumbai's Island City, while Shivaji Nagar is part of the eastern suburbs of the megapolis. Navy Nagar mainly houses defense installations, while the Deonar dumping ground and several other polluting establishments are located close to Shivaji Nagar. The AQI in Borivali East, a