Page 26 - Air Pollution

Every Delhi-NCR family hit by pollution-related health problems: Survey

A recent survey reveals that every household in the region has at least one member suffering from pollution-related health issues, including sore throat, asthma, and headaches

Updates: India, China agree to work to rebuild mutual trust in defence ministers meet

Latest news updates: Catch all the latest news developments from across the world here

Coal plants in India set to miss pollution goal as smog chokes Delhi

About three-quarters of the coal-fired generators near major cities are set to miss a year-end deadline to install equipment to curb sulfur-dioxide emissions

Delhi AQI in severe category; Rai announces work from home for govt staff

The AQI of Gurugram stood at 402 and it was 434 in Ghaziabad

Businesses gasp as Delhi's bad air chokes demand; air purifiers sales rise

Malls go empty, open-air markets also hit

The unwanted crown: 39 of world's 100 most polluted cities are from India

China ranks 2nd with 30 cities in S&P Global Mobility survey

Air pollution woes: Delhi hospitals see 50% jump in OPD visits, admissions

Jump in numbers comes as north Indian cities record AQI in excess of 350, Mumbai crosses 120

Delhi's traders face 20% loss as pollution, curbs deter consumers: Cait

Cait Secretary General Khandelwal urges govt to involve trade associations in policy-making, adopt electric trucks for logistics, and offer financial support to businesses

Is Delhi's AQI 500 or 1500? Here is why you find conflicting readings

Confused by Delhi's AQI readings of 500 and 1,500? Different scales and methods explain the gap. Here's why both figures capture a harsh reality

How China won its deadly smog battle. Is it possible for India too?

Over the years, Beijing's air quality improved significantly, dropping by 42.3 per cent between 2013 and 2021, a reduction attributed to stringent policies and enforcement

Decision on work-from-home, odd-even to be taken soon: Gopal Rai

A decision on implementing work-from-home measures and the odd-even scheme will be taken soon to tackle the city's worsening air quality, Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai said on Tuesday. Speaking to PTI, Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai said, People, including children and senior citizens, are struggling to breathe and we deeply regret this situation. The air quality in the national capital has remained in the severe plus category since Sunday, with AQI readings consistently above 450. On the possibility of implementing work-from-home measures, Rai stated, We will take a decision on this soon." The minister added that the government has already imposed significant restrictions on vehicles under GRAP-IV. We are analyzing the impact of these measures. If the analysis shows a positive outcome, we will take further decisions accordingly, he said. Calling the current situation a medical emergency, Rai emphasised the need for collective action. This is a time of medical emergen

Delhi's air pollution takes centre stage at COP29, experts call for action

Delhi's hazardous air quality was a key focus at COP29, as experts warned about the health risks of air pollution and called for immediate global action. Aarti Khosla, Director of Climate Trends, sais that Delhi's Air Quality Index (AQI) had reached dangerous levels, with some areas recording particulate pollution above 1,000 microgram per cubic metre. Pollution comes from many sources like black carbon, ozone, burning fossil fuels, and farm fires. We need solutions that tackle all of these, she said. Khosla also explained that low wind speeds during the La Nia weather pattern are trapping pollutants in the air, making the situation worse. While we discuss major global issues, millions of people's health is at risk. We must act fast, she said. Courtney Howard, Vice-Chair of the Global Climate and Health Alliance, shared her experience from Canada, where wildfires forced the evacuation of 70 per cent of her population in 2023. This was expensive, even for a rich country like ours. ..

Health secy issues advisory as AQI worsens, SC enforces Grap IV in Delhi

The advisory includes recommendations for states and UTs to strengthen existing health systems and raise awareness among vulnerable groups and at-risk occupations

Supreme Court flags 'wrong approach' in enforcing anti-pollution curbs

The Bench questioned the Delhi government and the CAQM over the delay in invoking pollution preventive measures under Grap stages

Physical classes in Delhi schools, DU to be suspended due to air pollution

Delhi University would shift to online classes till November 23, the varsity announced amid worsening air quality levels in the city. The decision comes as the Air Quality Index (AQI) in Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR) has reached "alarmingly high" levels, prompting concerns about health and safety. Delhi's had an AQI reading of 494 at 4 pm. In a notification, the university stated, "In the larger interest of students of the colleges and the departments of the University of Delhi, it has been decided that the classes shall be conducted in online mode till Saturday the 23rd November, 2024. Regular classes in physical mode to resume from Monday, the 25th November 2024." The schedule of examinations and interviews, however, remains unchanged, it said. The Delhi government has termed the worsening air quality a "medical emergency" and urged institutions to take preventive measures to safeguard public health. The city's air pollution has been exacerbated by weather conditio

Delhi govt to act on 'odd-even' scheme based on expert advice: Gopal Rai

Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai said the government is taking all necessary measures to tackle air pollution and will implement additional steps, including the odd-even vehicle rationing scheme, based on expert advice and requirements. Addressing a press conference here as the Air Quality Index (AQI) in the national capital breached the "severe-plus" category with a reading of 494, Rai said the Delhi government is taking all necessary steps to address the situation. In response to a question about the odd-even scheme, he said, "From our side, the Delhi government is taking all the necessary steps at our level. We are monitoring everything closely and making decisions on a daily basis. We will consult experts and take all required measures." Delhi recorded its second-worst air quality in six years on Monday. Fifteen monitoring stations saw AQI levels reaching the maximum limit of 500. The city's 24-hour AQI, recorded at 4 pm, was the highest in the country, up from 441 the ...

Air emergency in Delhi: AQI exceeds 1,500; smog halts life, schools closed

According to Swiss air technology firm IQAir, AQI readings across Delhi ranged from 1,300 to 1,600 on Monday morning

Delhi chokes due to severe-plus air pollution; GRAP-IV restrictions imposed

Delhi woke up to severe-plus AQI category on November 18, necessitating the imposition of GRAP Stage-IV restrictions to curb severe air pollution levels in the national capital.

'Politics on pollution': Atishi blames Centre as Delhi gasps for air

Delhi Chief Minister Atishi blamed farm fires in neighboring states - excluding Punjab, where her party also governs - for the capital's air crisis

Delhi's AQI turns 'severe plus', Grap Stage IV rules kick in: Key points

The pollution control board has recommended state governments to consider closing colleges, restricting non-essential commercial activities, and introducing odd-even vehicle rules