Page 5 - Air Pollution

Air pollution in India biggest health crisis since Covid, warn doctors

Air pollution is arguably the biggest public health crisis India has faced since the pandemic and will continue to worsen each year unless urgent action is taken, a UK-based Indian-origin pulmonologist warned, noting that a looming tsunami of airway disease remains largely underdiagnosed and untreated. Speaking to PTI, multiple senior doctors practising in the UK asserted that a vast, hidden burden of undiagnosed airway disease is "building beneath the surface" and its incoming wave will exact a heavy, lasting toll on Indian citizens and its healthcare system. They linked the global rise in cardiovascular diseases over the past decade to increasing exposure to toxic emissions from urban transport, including automobiles and aircraft, particularly in cities across India, the UK and beyond, rather than obesity alone. Union transport minister Nitin Gadkari on Tuesday admitted that nearly 40 per cent of the pollution in Delhi is caused by the transport sector due to dependence on fossil

EVs help, but Delhi's air pollution problem needs more than adoption

It is equally important to recognise that Delhi is part of a shared air basin across the NCR. Policies for just Delhi can deliver limited gains

Delhi's air quality improves to AQI 234; forecast shows decline ahead

The capital breathed slightly easier for the second consecutive day, with the air quality improving to the 'poor' category and an AQI of 234 recorded on Thursday. Transport emissions and pollution from neighbouring cities continued to contribute significantly to the capital's air pollution load, according to official data. Delhi's 24-hour average air quality index (AQI) stood at 234 at 4 pm, remaining in the 'poor' category, compared to 271 recorded at the same time a day earlier, according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). This marked a significant improvement from the 'severe' AQI of 412 recorded at 4 pm on Tuesday. Out of the 40 functional air quality monitoring stations in the city, 10 recorded moderate AQI levels below 200, including Lodhi Road, IIT Delhi, Indira Gandhi International Airport and Aya Nagar, while 27 stations remained in the poor category. Two stations -- Jahangirpuri and Bawana -- recorded very poor air quality with AQI readings above 300. As per

‘Not doing enough’: What did Delhi HC tell Centre over pollution crisis? | Delhi aqi | Delhi smog

The Delhi High Court has pulled up the Centre over worsening air pollution in the national capital and asked it to consider reducing the 18% GST on air purifiers.

Delhi records highest annual avg of NO2 levels since 2018; ITO worst hit

ITO, known for heavy congestion and long waits at traffic signals, recorded the highest annual mean level at 69 µg/m³. Other hotspots included IGI Airport's Terminal 3, Anand Vihar, and Shadipur

Delhi breathes easier on Christmas as AQI dips below 300 after two weeks

On December 25, the AQI improved to 220, helped by strong winds, though forecasts warn of possible deterioration ahead

Grap IV restrictions lifted in Delhi-NCR as air quality improves

The CAQM, however, cautioned that winter weather conditions may not remain favourable, with forecasts indicating a possible rise in AQI levels due to slower wind speeds in the coming days

2025: The year the world wobbled, and India adjusted to crises and change

With the trade deal with the US pending and President Trump keeping matters on hold, opportunity in a time of crisis appears to be the way forward

Delhi, Noida AQI levels rise to 'severe', cross 400 at multiple locations

The air quality forecast failed as Delhi's AQI slipped into the 'severe' category above 400, with the national capital and neighbouring Noida recording the worst air quality in the country. A grey haze enveloped the capital on Tuesday as the 24-hour average Air Quality Index (AQI) stood at 412 in the severe category at 4 pm, deteriorating sharply from 373 in the very poor category at the same time a day earlier, according to data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). Out of the 40 functional monitoring stations in the city, five recorded severe-plus AQI levels above 450, including Nehru Nagar (465), Mundka (457), Chandni Chowk (453), Okhla (452) and Jahangirpuri, while 26 stations remained in the severe category. The remaining stations reported very poor air quality, as per CPCB's SAMEER app. Delhi recorded the second-worst air quality in the country with an AQI of 412, after neighbouring Noida, which registered an AQI of 426. These were the only two cities among 230 ...

'No PUC, no fuel' policy to continue after Grap-IV is lifted: Delhi govt

Delhi's Environment Minister Manjinder Singh said that approval has also been granted for four new vehicle emission testing centres, along with permission to open additional testing facilities

Should keep politics aside and work: Robert Vadra on Delhi Air Pollution

The Air Quality Index (AQI) in Delhi was recorded in the 'hazardous' category on Tuesday morning, significantly impacting visibility and daily life

Smog blankets Delhi as AQI crosses 400; IGI Airport issues advisory

Emissions and cold conditions push Delhi AQI above 400 at 29 stations; IGI airport issued passenger advisory as flights face delay and disruption due to reduced visibility

Pollution linked to rise in breathlessness, chest infections: Ficci chief

As air quality in the national capital continues to deteriorate during the winter months, medical experts are flagging a noticeable rise in neurological as well as respiratory complaints, underlining the urgent need for sustained government action and public cooperation to curb pollution.Speaking to ANI, Dr Harsh Mahajan, Chairman of the FICCI Health Services Committee and Founder and Chief Radiologist at Mahajan Imaging & Labs, said that cases of chest pain, breathlessness, and allergic conditions have risen significantly; however, he added that it is difficult to determine whether the primary trigger is air pollution or temperature.He said, "In winters, we see an upsurge of people coming with breathlessness, chest infection, some allergic conditions... It is difficult to segregate how much of this is because of the low temperature and how much is due to pollution."He further stated that the government has implemented several steps to curb air pollution, including mandating BS6

Delhi markets report drop in sales, footfall after BS VI ban, fuel curbs

Markets across the national capital have reported a decline in sales and footfall following the ban on non-BS VI vehicles and the enforcement of the 'No PUC, No Fuel' rule, with traders saying fewer buyers from the National Capital Region (NCR) are visiting Delhi's key shopping hubs. Sadar Bazaar, one of Delhi's largest wholesale markets that largely depends on retailers from neighbouring NCR towns, has seen sales fall by around 30 to 35 per cent due to reduced movement, Paramjit Singh Pamma, chairman of the Sadar Bazaar Association, said. Pamma said that buyers from outside Delhi have limited their visits since the restrictions came into force. "Around 30 to 35 per cent of our sales have been affected as retailers from NCR are coming less frequently," he said. With the festive season underway, traders said the impact is being felt more sharply. "We have Christmas and New Year stock piled up, but the number of buyers is much lower compared to last year and overall footfall has dro

Pollution settles in when wind stops and emissions persist: Bhupender Yadav

Bhupendra Yadav said that air quality has shown improvement on several days, but adverse meteorological conditions during December continue to pose challenges

Delhi air quality stays 'severe' as dense fog and cold wave intensify

Dense fog and a cold wave worsen Delhi's already severe air quality, with AQI crossing 400 in several areas; limited visibility disrupts flights

MCD imposes ₹33.95 lakh fine on construction sites over Grap-IV violations

The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) has imposed challans worth Rs 33.95 lakh on construction sites over the past week for violating restrictions under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) to curb air pollution, officials said on Saturday. The civic body said construction and demolition activities remain strictly prohibited in Delhi during the GRAP-IV period, in line with directions issued by the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) and orders of the National Green Tribunal (NGT). MCD enforcement teams carried out inspections across all zones and physically verified 1,792 construction sites, issuing 771 challans where violations were detected. In November alone, the corporation had issued over 900 challans amounting to Rs 1.5 crore for similar violations, the officials said. As part of the intensified enforcement drive, the MCD imposed a Rs 5 lakh challan on a builder in Dwarka's Sector 19B, besides levying penalties at another site for failure to adopt dust mitigatio

Strict action against polluting industries, ban violators in Delhi: Sirsa

With the air quality in Delhi remaining close to 'severe' category, Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa on Saturday said strict action will be taken against polluting industries and those violating construction ban in the national capital. Sirsa, citing forecast of the India Meteorological Department, said that a western disturbance is likely to impact Delhi on Sunday, which could lead to unfavourable weather conditions, further worsening air quality. He said GRAP 4 restrictions are currently in force across the city. The minister said authorities are receiving several complaints about construction activities taking place despite the ban, and warned that strict action will be taken against violators. Sirsa directed all industries in Delhi to strictly comply with pollution control norms, stressing that no polluting industry should function during the enforcement period. "We cannot compromise with the health of Delhi residents. Any industry found polluting or operating illega

100K PUC applications received in 3 days amid anti-pollution curbs in Delhi

More than one lakh vehicle owners applied for Pollution Under Control certificates in the last three days amid intensified enforcement against polluting vehicles in the national capital, Delhi Transport and Health Minister Pankaj Kumar Singh said on Saturday. Singh said the BJP government is working on long-term and data-driven solutions to address air pollution in the national capital, asserting that transport-related emissions contribute around 20-25 per cent to Delhi's overall pollution. Singh said that in the last three days, a large number of people have come forward to obtain PUC certificates. Over one lakh people registered for PUC certificates during this period, including more than 40,000 on December 19 alone, he added. The minister said officials from the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) and police are deployed at petrol pumps with cameras used to monitor vehicles. First-time violators are issued warnings, while repeat offenders face challans, he said, adding tha

Delhi air quality worsens over weekend as all areas record AQI over 300

Dense fog and severe pollution continue to affect Delhi over the weekend, with 14 stations in the 'severe' category despite strict anti-pollution measures