Page 3 - Latest Updates on Delhi air quality

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

'I get infections in Delhi': Gadkari says transport causes 40% of pollution

Amid hazardous air quality in Delhi, Nitin Gadkari acknowledges the transport sector's 40% contribution to pollution, saying he develops infections after short stays in the capital

'Reduce GST on air purifiers': Delhi HC raps Centre over pollution crisis

The Delhi High Court criticised the Centre over its failure to tackle the city's air pollution and asked it to consider cutting the 18 per cent GST on air purifiers to provide relief to citizens

Delhi's AQI improves to 349; govt announces fresh measures for pollution

Thick smog continues to engulf Delhi and adjoining regions. Govt unveils pollution control measures, including water body revival and DTC reforms

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

'11 years of neglect': Delhi L-G blames Kejriwal, AAP for pollution crisis

According to Delhi L-G VK Saxena, the 10-month-old BJP government is 'trying to do everything possible' to undo the 'wrongs' of the previous AAP government

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

Fog disrupts operations at Delhi airport; 10 flights cancelled, 270 delayed

At least 10 flights were cancelled and more than 270 flights were delayed at the Delhi airport due to fog and low visibility conditions on Tuesday. An official said 6 arrivals and 4 departures have been cancelled for the day. Over 270 flights have been delayed and the average delay time for departures is 29 minutes, as per information available on flight tracking website Flightradar24.com. "Visibility at the airport is improving; however, flight departures for certain destinations may experience delay," Delhi airport operator DIAL said in a post on X. The Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) in the national capital handles around 1,300 flight movements daily.

Why men in Delhi breathe more toxic air than women, a five-year study finds

A five-year Delhi study finds men absorb up to 1.4 times more particulate pollution than women, mainly due to outdoor time and larger lung volumes, with walking and commutes sharply raising doses

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

Over 212K PUC certificates issued in 4 days in Delhi amid curbs: Sirsa

More than 2.12 lakh new PUC certificates were issued following the strict implementation of GRAP-IV measures over the past four days, Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa said on Monday. The minister also warned of stringent action against polluting industries and private offices flouting work-from-home directives. Speaking at a press conference, Sirsa noted that weather conditions are expected to improve by Tuesday as the impact of a western disturbance recedes. He said 2,12,332 new Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificates were issued by late night on December 16. During the same period, approximately 10,000 vehicles failed the mandatory emission tests. Sirsa announced an intensified enforcement drive across the capital, saying polluting factories and industries will now be sealed without further notice. "Action will also be taken against industries that have not applied for the mandatory Online Consent Management (OCM)," he added. The minister warned private compan

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

Delhi battles cold wave, dense fog as air quality remains 'very poor'

Delhi faces extreme air pollution as dense fog and a cold wave persist; AQI hits hazardous levels, with vehicular emissions and industry driving hazardous conditions

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

Delhi's air on verge of severe; AQI at 398 as thick haze shrouds capital

The sky remained shrouded in dull grey, while a thick haze descended upon the capital on Saturday, with the air quality on the brink of "severe". At 4 pm, Delhi's 24-hour average Air Quality Index (AQI) was recorded at 398 -- just two points shy of the threshold -- while several monitoring stations across the city reported readings in the 'severe' category. Meanwhile, hourly AQI readings from the CPCB's SAMEER app showed that air quality worsened during the evening hours, slipping into the severe category at 401, at 5 pm. Of the 40 monitoring stations across the city, 22 recorded air quality in the severe range, while 17 logged readings in the 'very poor' category. Chandni Chowk reported the worst air quality, with an AQI reading of 464, in the 'severe plus' category. With the sun largely obscured by clouds and suspended pollutants, visibility was greatly reduced. Amid prevailing cold-wave conditions, the average air quality in the capital deteriorated to 398 on Saturday, compare