Page 27 - Air Pollution

Punjab and Haryana control paddy stubble burning, but for how long?

Both states, long seen as major contributors, have brought down incidents of stubble burning, a long-term solution will remain out of reach so long as state-support for paddy lifting remains in place

Tackling NCR's air pollution needs sustainable focus, not quick fixes

Delhi and its neighbours - Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Punjab - point fingers at one another. Stubble burning by farmers, vehicular emissions, and construction work are all blamed

Air purifier sales spike over 50% as air quality worsens in Delhi-NCR

Demand for air purifiers has witnessed a surge as air quality, especially in Delhi-NCR, dropped to hazardous levels, according to manufacturers of the product. Companies, including Kent RO Systems, Xiaomi, and LG Electronics India, said in the festive season, air purifiers sales grew up to 50 per cent as the Air Quality Index (AQI) of Delhi and the adjoining moved towards an alarming level. Like the previous year, the appliance makers have witnessed growth in the last 2-3 weeks in sales and enquiries for air-purifiers and expect a further uptick with the increase in the AQI index in the coming weeks. Air purifier is a very small segment of the appliances market and its sales generally peaks in October and November, when the pollution level in North India, particularly Delhi NCR, and some other parts worsens due to stubble burning and Diwali celebrations. LG Electronics India Senior VP- Home Appliances Sanjay Chitkara said: As Delhi battles one of its worst pollution seasons yet, ..

Lahore's air apocalypse: Schools close, Pak officials call out India

On Sunday, Lahore topped the global list of cities with the most hazardous air, marking the second consecutive day of deteriorating air quality

Air pollution: Over 54k vehicles fined, 56 construction sites shut in NCR

The Centre's panel to improve air quality in Delhi-NCR on Sunday said it ordered the closure of 56 construction and demolition sites and imposed fines on 597 sites for failing to comply with pollution control norms between October 15 and 31. In a statement, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) said over 54,000 vehicles were penalised for lacking a valid pollution-under-control certificate, and 3,900 overage vehicles were impounded during the period. The CAQM said more than 5,300 inspections targeted illegal waste dumping sites, with actions taken against violations, particularly for burning municipal solid waste. To control road dust, mechanical road-sweeping machines, water sprinklers, and anti-smog guns have been deployed across the region. On average, around 600 water sprinklers and anti-smog guns were used daily throughout NCR. Around 1,400 industrial units and 1,300 diesel generator sets were inspected, with non-compliant units facing fines or closure, according t

Civil defence volunteers to be re-engaged for anti-pollution drive: Atishi

Delhi Chief Minister Atishi on Sunday announced that the deployment of 10,000 civil defence volunteers removed as bus marshals last year will begin in the next 2-4 days to assist various agencies fighting air pollution. A detailed proposal for their permanent engagement will also be sent for approval of the Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena within a week, she said at a press conference here. The announcements come a day after the LG wrote to Atishi, saying despite his order to immediately reappoint the civil defence volunteers (CDV), he was yet to receive a proposal in this regard. "Of course, you and your party leaders may continue to do politics of taking credit for their reinstatement, but any more delay in the welfare of these economically weaker and helpless people is not right in any way," Saxena said in his letter. Around 10,000 CDVs working as marshals in public buses in Delhi were removed from their posts in November last year after objections were raised by the revenue and

Brief relief fades as Delhi's AQI climbs to 'hazardous' levels post-Diwali

The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data shows that certain areas of Delhi are grappling with hazardous pollution levels

No 'severe' AQI cities in India for third consecutive year post-Diwali

Historically, the post-Diwali haze has lingered, especially with winter weather compounding the pollution from firecrackers

Delhi air quality stable despite pollution norms violation, says DPCC

Delhi's pollution board claimed that the air quality index did not show any significant change this Diwali, even after many flouted pollution norms. According to a report by the Delhi Pollution Control Committee, the 24-hour average Air Quality Index (AQI) reached 328 on Thursday, rising to 360, a day after Diwali, which avoided a severe spike. The report stated that the PM2.5 levels decreased by 4 per cent as compared to Diwali last year. While the PM10 levels, consisting of particulate matter that is 10 micrometres or less in diameter, increased by 11 per cent. PM2.5 are fine inhalable particles, with diameters that are generally 2.5 micrometres and smaller, and are the greatest risk to health. The acceptable annual standard for PM2.5 is 40 micrograms per cubic metre. However, the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data claimed that Delhi recorded its most polluted Diwali in three years. On Thursday, the city's 24-hour average Air Quality Index (AQI) was recorded at 330, ...

Gopal Rai flags off mobile anti-smog guns to tackle Delhi's air pollution

The AQI of the national capital, post-Diwali celebration reached to worst level and posed a severe health risk

AQI deteriorates to 'severe' in India's cleanest city Indore after Diwali

The Air Quality Index in Indore, the country's cleanest city, breached the 400 mark on Friday, indicating that the air quality has reached the severe category in Madhya Pradesh's financial capital. According to the State Pollution Control Board data, the AQI in the city's Chhoti Gwaltoli area was pegged at 404 at noon, while the PM 2.5 (particulate matter) average was recorded at 255.26. The average level of PM 10 in the city was 318.08. Chhoti Gwaltoli is a densely populated area of the city that sees heavy vehicular movement. Dr Dilip Vaghela, an environmental expert and former official of the state pollution control board, told PTI, The city started with loud Diwali fireworks from Thursday morning which continued till late night. The situation continued in many areas on Friday also. This is the main reason for the air quality in the city reaching the severe category. The city's air quality usually remains in the "satisfactory" (AQI 51-100) category, the expert said. According t

Diwali blues: Haryana, Punjab report AQI in 'poor', 'very poor' categories

Several places in Haryana reported air quality index (AQI) in the 'poor' and 'very poor' categories on Diwali night on Thursday. Many places in Punjab as well as in the Union Territory of Chandigarh reported air quality index in the 'poor' category. As of 11 pm on Thursday, the AQI in Gurugram in Haryana was recorded at 322, 336 in Jind and 306 in Charkhi Dadri, according to the Sameer app that provides hourly updates of the national AQI published by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). Among other places in Haryana, as of 11 pm, AQI in Ambala was recorded at 201, in Bahadurgarh it was 292, Bhiwani 278, Ballabhgarh 211, Faridabad 245, Kurukshetra 270, Panchkula 220, Rohtak 222 and Sonipat at 258. Chandigarh's AQI was recorded at 239 as of 11 pm on Thursday. In Jalandhar, the AQI at 11 pm was 256, while at Ludhiana, it was 234, Mandi Gobindgarh 266, while Patiala recorded an AQI of 244. An AQI between zero and 50 is considered 'good', 51 and 100 'satisfactory', 101 and 200

Delhi's air deteriorate on Diwali eve, pollution level likely to go up

Delhi's air quality slipped into the "very poor" category on the eve of Diwali, with pollution levels expected to go up on Thursday, even as authorities said strict action will be taken against those violating the firecracker ban. The city's 24-hour average Air Quality Index (AQI) was recorded at 307 at 4 pm, up from 268 on Tuesday, according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). The Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM), Pune said the air quality in the national capital is likely to be in the "very poor" category (AQI 300 to 400) on Thursday and Friday. The air quality may also reach the severe category on these two days in case of additional emissions from firecrackers and stubble or waste fires. According to the Decision Support System (DSS) for Air Quality Management, if stubble burning occurs at levels similar to the last five years, it could contribute 15-18 per cent to Delhi's pollution on these dates. This is exacerbated by winds from the northwest, which

Delhi Metro changes schedule for Diwali; last train to commence at 10 pm

To manage the expected increase in passengers during the festive period, the DMRC added 60 extra trips on Tuesday and Wednesday

Diwali 2024: Amid pollution scare, many states tighten grip on firecrackers

With a blanket ban on firecrackers already in place across Delhi, many states have followed similar measures to avoid a potential health crisis

8 best eco-friendly Diwali tips to reduce air pollution and protect health

Celebrate this Diwali in an eco-friendly manner to combat the serious problem of air pollution hampering your health. Check 8 best eco-friendly Diwali tips

Delhi's AQI woes: Why's Pakistan blamed for Delhi-NCR's pollution crisis?

Delhi's air quality remains dire, with an Air Quality Index of 328, despite ongoing pollution mitigation efforts like banning firecrackers and road watering

Delhi air quality remains 'very poor' for second day after brief relief

The air quality in Delhi dipped to the 'very poor' category again on Sunday after remaining in 'poor' levels for two previous days, aided by favourable winds

Next 15 days crucial to tackle air pollution in Delhi, says Gopal Rai

Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai emphasised the urgent need to tackle air pollution across northern India, calling the next 15 days "crucial". Following a key meeting with the Central government on Friday, Rai held a press conference on Saturday. The meeting, attended by Union Ministers Shivraj Singh Chauhan and Bhupender Yadav, along with environment ministers from neighbouring states, aimed to assess and address the worsening air quality in the region. Rai expressed concern over the delay in this year's meeting and said, "Last year, a similar meeting was held in August, allowing us more time to strategise. "This year's meeting took place in the last week of October. Had it been conducted three months earlier, we could have tackled the pollution problem more effectively," Rai said. According to Rai, Punjab has shown a promising downtrend in the stubble burning incidents, with only 1,500 cases reported this year compared to nearly 5,000 cases in 2022. However, he noted an upti

Diwali fireworks and air pollution: How to protect your respiratory health

Pollutants emitted by crackers may last in the air for day, troubling people with respiratory issues