Page 28 - Air Pollution

Closely monitoring Delhi pollution, strict measures to be taken: Gopal Rai

A day after Delhi's air quality plunged to the 'severe' category, Environment Minister Gopal Rai on Thursday said strict pollution control measures would be enforced if the conditions worsened. Rai also attributed the worsening air quality to a combination of calm winds and a drop in temperature that caused the pollutants to remain trapped in the air. The national capital's Air Quality Index (AQI) at 9 am remained in the 'severe' category, with a reading of 428. On Wednesday, Delhi reported the worst AQI in the country, with the air quality turning 'severe' for the first time this season. Rai said at a press conference that there had been a change in the weather pattern during the past two days. Wind speeds are expected to pick up between Friday and Saturday, reaching six to 12 kilometres per hour and that should help reduce pollution levels, he said. Regarding the implementation of pollution mitigation measures under GRAP III, the minister said it would not be imposed yet as the

Delhi air turns cancerous: What COP29 experts suggest on pollution crisis

With 'severe' pollution levels, Delhi is now the second most polluted city globally, behind Pakistan's Lahore, with an air quality index of 1,399

Delhi Airport issues advisory for passengers amid rising air pollution

A dense layer of smog enveloped the national capital as the pollution levels continued to rise, AQI level in Delhi at 8 am was 428, as per the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB)

Delhi AQI 'severe' for day 2; 10 flights diverted due to fog: Top updates

Despite alarming pollution levels, city officials have not yet activated Stage III of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), which includes the closure of primary schools

Is your air safe? Google Maps rolls out live AQI updates in India

Google Maps now provides navigation along with key environmental insights, helping people make smarter choices about their health and outdoor plans

Dense fog in Delhi puts airport on alert; visibility reduced in Noida

Delhi AQI news: Anand Vihar, dubbed the pollution hotspot, remained one of the most impacted areas with an AQI of 399. In such conditions, all age groups are at heightened risk of respiratory illness

Toxic emissions from Okhla waste plant put millions at health risk: Report

An investigation by The New York Times reveals Delhi's Okhla waste-to-energy plant emits high levels of toxins like cadmium and arsenic, with illegal ash dumping in residential areas

As the air gets hazardous, Lahore imposes a ban on outdoor activities

Authorities in Lahore and Islamabad have stepped up measures to combat hazardous smog, imposing bans on outdoor activities and shutting down polluting industries

The clean air challenge: Delhi braces for worsening pollution this season

GRAP has become the only time we act, which, obviously, is too little and too late

Smog engulfs Delhi as AQI remains 'very poor'; Noida slightly better

A similar situation is unfolding in parts of Mumbai, where a thick layer of smog is reported near the Bandra Kurla Complex

Delhi's air quality improves slightly, remains in 'very poor' category

Delhi's air quality remained 'very poor' despite a slight improvement on Saturday evening, CPCB data showed. The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data showed that the national capital's Air Quality Index (AQI) improved to 351 at 6 pm from 358 at 9 am. According to the Sameer app that provides hourly updates of the national AQI published by the CPCB, the AQI at Bawana and New Moti Bagh stations were in the 'severe' category with readings of 405 and 408, respectively. An AQI between zero and 50 is considered 'good', 51 and 100 'satisfactory', 101 and 200 'moderate', 201 and 300 'poor', 301 and 400 'very poor', and 401 and 450 'severe'. Delhi on Saturday recorded a maximum temperature of 32.5 degrees Celsius, three notches above normal, while the minimum temperature settled four notches above the season's average at 18.3 degrees. The humidity level oscillated between 78 per cent and 98 per cent, according to the India Meteorological Department. The weather office has forecast

Air pollution: CAQM criticises growing backlog of complaints in Delhi

The Centre's panel tasked with improving air quality in Delhi-NCR has raised concerns over the slow resolution pace and the growing backlog of air pollution-related complaints in the national capital. Among various steps, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has directed intensified efforts to remove highly polluting end-of-life (EoL) vehicles (petrol vehicles older than 15 years and diesel vehicles older than 10 years) that are still in use in Delhi. The panel called for a more proactive approach to addressing complaints, saying that delays in resolving issues hinder the effective implementation of air quality management measures. In a meeting held on Friday with the Delhi chief secretary and senior state government officials, the Commission stressed that each case of violation must be treated with urgency. "It said that timely resolution of complaints is crucial for maintaining the integrity of the enforcement process and for achieving broader air pollution control ..

Pakistan's Punjab turns into gas chamber: AQI in Multan dips to 2,500

In Multan, the largest city in Pakistan's Punjab, toxic particulate matter 2.5 concentrations stood at 947 micrograms per cubic metre, nearly 189.4 times above the normal level guidelines

Delhi govt tests drone-based mist spraying to combat air pollution

To curb rising air pollution in the national capital, the Delhi government on Friday conducted a testing of 'drone-based mist spraying' at Anand Vihar, one of the city's pollution hotspots. During the demonstration, Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai said that pollution levels in the hotspots are higher than the average AQI in the capital. "Today's demonstration in Anand Vihar -- a known pollution hotspot -- aims to address this issue," Rai said. Currently, more than 200 anti-smog guns are deployed across Delhi, spraying water along the roads to reduce airborne dust, he added. "However, areas with narrow roadsides or congested spots where trucks cannot reach pose unique challenges. This is where drones can be particularly effective," he said. The minister added that if the trial proves successful, the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) may consider acquiring more drones for widespread deployment. "If we get promising results of today's testing, we will move forward with f

Air pollution driving up health costs? Choose comprehensive insurance now

Currently, health insurance in India does not feature policies exclusively focused on pollution-related health issues

Bengaluru struggles with 'moderate' AQI, other Southern cities breathe easy

While Bengaluru grapples with a moderate AQI of 110 due to vehicle emissions, several southern cities, including Udupi, Thrissur, and Tirunelveli, enjoy 'good' air quality levels

Pakistan: Punjab sets up 'smog war room' to tackle hazardous air pollution

But Wednesday's index score for Lahore fell short of last week's unprecedented score of 1900, which had exceeded recommended levels by more than 120 times, prompting closure of primary schools

AQI having 'good days' increased, specific action taken: Delhi govt to NGT

The Delhi government has submitted an action taken report on air pollution to the National Green Tribunal, saying the air quality index showing "good days" between January and October in the city increased from 157 in 2018 to 201 in 2024. Good days are a cumulative of days where the AQI has been recorded as good, satisfactory and moderate. The report said "specific mitigation action" was being taken at the 13 pollution hotspots in Delhi. On October 24, the NGT while hearing the matter regarding the deteriorating air quality in the national capital, necessitating the invoking of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), directed the Delhi government to file its report. "With consistent efforts from stakeholder departments, good days have increased from 157 in 2018 to 206 in 2023 from January to October. This year till October 29, there have been 201 good days," said the report submitted on Monday. It said a 21-point winter action plan with around 30 government stakeholder departments

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