Gopal Rai said the government will review the air quality situation after Diwali, and a call on the odd-even scheme may be taken if there's a sudden dip in air quality
The Supreme Court asked the government why speed on curbing air pollution comes only after the court intervenes every year
The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) pegged the city's overall AQI at 398 at 10.30 am on Friday
Delhi air pollution today: Parts of Delhi saw some respite due to rain, but the city largely continues to struggle with an AQI of over 400
As part of the inspection process, several Delhi ministers were seen on Thursday inspecting different areas and borders connecting Delhi to neighbouring states
More than 130,000 app-based cabs ply on Delhi's roads daily, according to industry estimates
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Due to the surge in the pollution level in Delhi, the government is planning to induce artificial rain in the national capital to reduce the AQI. Check the latest update
Response to rising AQI: Firms offer low-cost EV loans, install air purifiers, allow hybrid work
The AQI level is still poor in Delhi NCR, the Delhi education minister announced early winter break and instructed students and teachers to stay at home
Delhi air quality today: AQI in Anand Vihar was recorded at 432 (severe category), while in the RK Puram area, the AQI stood at 453 (severe category)
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation has demolished four chimneys of gold and silver smelting units in Kalbadevi and Zaveri Bazar area in South Mumbai amid worsening air pollution in the city, officials said on Wednesday. According to BMC officials, their C-ward took action against the units as they were compounding the air pollution in the metropolis. Mumbai's average air quality index (AQI) stood at around 150, or "moderate", on Wednesday, according to official data. As part of the business of making ornaments and allied activities, gold and silver are melted in smelting units, which are mostly small-scale factories. While the precious metals are melted in a furnace, gaseous byproducts are released into the air through chimneys, civic officials said. However, when such fumes are released without scientific treatment, they pose a threat to human health, they said. As these hazardous gases add to the city's pollution, BMC has initiated a drive against those violating the air ...
The Delhi government on Wednesday said the odd-even car rationing scheme will be implemented in the national capital after the Supreme Court reviews its effectiveness and issues an order. Addressing a press conference, Environment Minister Gopal Rai said the city government would submit the results of two major studies conducted by the Energy Policy Institute of the University of Chicago and the Delhi Technical University to determine the scheme's effectiveness for the Supreme Court's review. "The decision to implement the odd-even scheme will be made only after the Supreme Court reviews its effectiveness and issues an order," the minister said, adding that the matter will be next heard on Friday. On Tuesday, the apex court questioned the effectiveness of the Delhi government's scheme, aimed at curbing vehicular pollution, and referred to it as "all optics." Rai had previously announced the flagship scheme, which permits cars to operate on alternate days based on their odd or even
In view of air pollution in the national capital, the December winter break of all schools has been rescheduled and it will be now from November 9 to November 18, a circular of the Delhi Directorate of Education stated on Wednesday. Earlier, due to bad air quality, holidays were announced from November 3 to November 10. "In the wake of implementation of GRAP-IV measures due to Severe Air Quality prevailing in Delhi and seeing that no respite from such adverse weather conditions in near future is predicted by the IMO, the Winter Break for the session 2023-24 is ordered to be preponed so that schools can be totally closed and both children and teachers can stay at home," the circular stated "Accordingly, all schools shall observe Winter Break wef. 09th November 2023 (tomorrow) to 18th November 2023 (Saturday)," it stated. The air quality in Delhi and its suburbs dropped to the severe category again on Wednesday morning, with smoke from post-harvest paddy straw burning in neighbouring
The district administration of Hisar in Haryana on Wednesday banned the burning of garbage, leaves, plastic, rubber and other flammable materials to check air pollution. District Magistrate Uttam Singh said in an order that "due to the onset of adverse meteorological conditions in pre-winter and winter season, the air quality of Hisar has deteriorated". It is imperative to take immediate and effective measures for health protection from particulate matter and toxic gases in the air. Therefore, burning of any type of waste material in open areas and roads, etc is strictly prohibited, it said. Individuals, groups or entities found violating the order will be punished according to relevant legal provisions, the order further said. All municipal bodies, the state's Pollution Control Board and law enforcement agencies will ensure strict compliance with the order and monitor incidents of waste burning. Action will be taken against those found burning any type of waste material in ...
The state pollution control meter, installed at Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (CST) reflected the air quality of Mumbai as 'very poor' at 7 am
Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai called an urgent meeting on Wednesday to discuss the implementation of the Supreme Court's observations regarding the odd-even car rationing scheme, which will be enforced from November 13 to November 20. The high-level meeting, which will be attended by representatives from transport, revenue, and other departments, will convene at 12 noon to implement the Supreme Court's observations, an official said. The odd-even car rationing scheme, introduced in 2016, allows cars to operate on alternate days based on their odd or even number plates. The enforcement next week will mark the fourth time that the Delhi government has used this scheme to address pollution caused by vehicles. The minister had announced the scheme on Monday, amid worsening air quality in the national capital. The Supreme Court on Tuesday questioned the effectiveness of the Delhi government scheme, aimed at curbing vehicular pollution, and referred to it as "all optics.
Delhi air pollution today: The odd-even rule for vehicles is set to kick in from November 13, the Supreme Court on Tuesday, however, called the move 'all optics'
"The file to this effect clearly shows that the decision to implement the odd-even scheme as a part of measures under GRAP-IV was not approved by Minister (Environment) Gopal Rai," LG's Office said
The court told the Delhi government to report to the court on the restrictions imposed based on colour-coded stickers