Page 32 - Delhi Air Quality

SC eases Grap restrictions in Delhi, moves to Stage II due to improved AQI

The top court said that if AQI goes above 350. Stage-III measures will have to be immediately implemented, and if AQI crosses 400 on a given day, Stage-IV measures will have to be re-introduced

Want clean air in Delhi? 5-star hotels turn air filtration into a 'service'

As Delhi battles high pollution levels, luxury hotels offer clean air through advanced filtration systems, turning guest rooms into spaces with AQI levels dramatically lower than the city's

Delhi's AQI improves to 161, pollution relief to continue for 2-3 days

Delhi's AQI came down to the 'moderate' category on Wednesday evening, with this period of relief expected to continue for the next two to three days

Delhi breathes easy after gap of 50 days, AQI in 'moderate' category

Delhi breathed clean air on Wednesday after a gap of 50 days as the air quality was recorded in the 'moderate' category, offering much-needed respite from the high levels of pollution. The 24-hour average Air Quality Index (AQI) of the city was recorded at 178 at 4 pm, registering an improvement from 268 on Tuesday. Earlier, the AQI was recorded in the 'moderate' category with a reading of 198 on October 15. However, the AQI had deteriorated and shifted to the 'poor' category the following day, according to Central Pollution Control Board data. Speaking about the improved air quality, an official of the India Meteorological Department said strong surface winds were forecast in the city on Wednesday. The winds will blow till December 7 when a new western disturbance is expected, which will lead to moderate fog starting December 8. Of the 38 air quality monitoring stations in the city, only Sri Aurobindo Marg reported air quality in the 'very poor' category on Wednesday, while eight

NGT issues notice to Centre on persistent air pollution crisis in Delhi

The National Green Tribunal has sought a response from the Centre on the "persistent air pollution crisis" in the national capital. The NGT was hearing the matter where it had taken suo motu (on its own) cognisance of a media report based on a study about the reasons for air pollution being emissions from thermal plants and the prevailing weather conditions. In an order passed on November 27, a bench of NGT Chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava said, "As per the article, a recent study by the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA) has revealed that thermal power plants in the region are responsible for emitting 16 times more air pollution than the pollution caused by stubble burning." The bench also comprising judicial member Justice Arun Kumar Tyagi and expert member A Senthil Vel said that at present, Delhi was facing a "persistent air pollution crisis, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) (recently) reaching an alarming 488, falling under the severe plus category." It

Stubble burning among causes of Delhi pollution: Officials tell House panel

Stubble burning in Punjab and Haryana is among the main reasons for air pollution in Delhi-NCR and several steps are being taken to encourage farmers to use paddy residue for animal feed and industrial purposes, a top Union environment ministry official told parliamentarians on Wednesday. Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change Secretary Leena Nandan, while making a presentation on air pollution in Delhi-NCR before the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Science and Technology, Environment, Forests and Climate Change, also took suggestions from the MPs to reduce air and water pollution. Sources said she told the MPs that the government was trying to promote the use of Basmati rice, whose residue is used for animal feed, besides using the paddy straw for industrial purposes. She also listed vehicular emission as another reason for air pollution and said the government was making efforts to promote e-vehicles in the national capital. Construction activity in the national .

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Delhi's Nov PM 2.5 level reaches highest monthly avg in 8 yrs despite Grap

Delhi's PM2.5 level in November reached its highest monthly average in eight years despite the implementation of GRAP measures, a recent report has revealed. A report by the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA) highlighted that Delhi's PM2.5 concentration soared to an average of 249 micrograms per cubic metre in November -- the highest since 2017 -- despite enforcement of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) and a decrease in stubble burning incidents. In November 2016, the average PM2.5 level was recorded at 254 micrograms per cubic metre, the highest November reading, followed by 249 micrograms per cubic metre this year. PM2.5 are fine particles with a diameter of 2.5 micrometres or less, about the width of a human hair. These are so small that these can penetrate deep into the lungs and even enter the bloodstream, posing significant health risks. A report by the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA) highlighted that Delhi's PM2.5 concentration soared

Delhi's air in 'poor' category with AQI of 274; SC retains Grap-IV measures

Despite Delhi's AQI improving to 274, the Supreme Court said that it will retain Grap-IV restrictions, citing the need for a sustained downward trend in air pollution levels

Grap IV hardly enforced? SC questions Delhi govt on air pollution crisis

The Supreme Court emphasised the need for a 'downward trend' in air pollution levels in Delhi NCR before considering easing restrictions under Grap-IV

SC refuses to relax Grap-4 restrictions unless AQI shows 'downward trend'

The Supreme Court on Monday refused to relax emergency measures under Stage 4 of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) dealing with air pollution in the national capital till it noticed a downward trend in the AQI level. A bench of Justices Abhay S Oka and Augustine George Masih further sought the presence of the chief secretaries of NCR states to appear through video-conferencing to inform it whether or not any compensation was paid to the construction workers who were without work owing to the restrictions. Notably, there has to be a downward trend before the Supreme Court relaxes GRAP 4 restrictions. The bench said the chief secretaries of NCR states including Delhi, Haryana, UP and Rajasthan will have to appear through video-conferencing at 3.30pm on December 5. "There is hardly any implementation of stage 4 of GRAP to deal with air pollution in the national capital, remarked the bench, questioning the Delhi government on the number of officers deployed by it to implement the

Delhi's air quality records 'poor' for second consecutive day with 273 AQI

National capital sees marginal improvement from 'very poor' levels, but monitoring stations reveal alarming hotspots exceeding AQI 300

Delhi's battle with poor air quality continues; Noida's AQI improves

While Delhi struggles, its neighbouring areas are showing slight improvement. The air quality in Ghaziabad, Gurugram, and Noida was recorded in the 'poor' category

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Delhi's air quality 'very poor' as haze lingers, pollution levels surge

Delhi's air quality remains in the 'very poor' category, with pollution levels surging across the city. Haze persists, and the AQI continues to hover above 300 in many areas

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Pollution in Delhi-NCR among topics to be examined by parliamentary panel

Amid continuing concerns over air quality in the national capital, pollution in the country with special thrust on Delhi-NCR is one of the topics shortlisted by the department related to Parliamentary Standing Committee on Science and Technology, Environment, Forests and Climate Change for examination, an official bulletin of the Rajya Sabha said. According to the bulletin, environmental pollution in the country and the steps taken by various agencies for its mitigation, with special thrust on air and water pollution in Delhi NCR tops the list of subjects to be taken up by the panel during its tenure in 2024-25. This issue will be taken up in the upcoming meeting of the panel scheduled for December 4 where the members will hear the views of the secretary, Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change, on pollution. Air quality in Delhi has been in the very poor' category throughout the month of November, with the air quality being in the severe' category for at least six days

India faces CNG shortage, rising prices threaten clean air efforts in Delhi

India faces a severe CNG supply shortage, pushing prices up and threatening efforts to reduce air pollution in cities like Delhi. The rise in costs may shift consumers back to petrol and diesel

India cuts back cheap gas for vehicles even as bad air chokes Delhi

New Delhi, one of world's most polluted cities, was pushed into CNG well over 2 decades ago after a Supreme Court ruling that demanded conversion of all public buses to cope with worsening air quality

Delhiites continue to breathe in 'very poor' air as the AQI rises to 325

However, some areas reported an AQI of below 300 classifying the air quality as 'poor'