Page 34 - Latest Updates on Delhi air quality

Air purifier and mask sales surge as Delhi-NCR battles severe air pollution

With air pollution levels escalating to alarming levels in Delhi and the National Capital Region, the sale of air purifiers and masks have surged significantly, according to traders in the city. Delhi's air quality plummeted to the 'severe plus' category on Monday, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) soaring to 484 its worst reading this season, according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). As Delhiites struggles to breathe, traders said the demand for air purifiers and masks have increased as many residents see the equipment as a necessity to safeguard their health. Vijendra Mohan, the owner of Air Expert India, a dealership in Indirapuram, said their air purifier sales have witnessed a significant increase after air pollution breached the 'severe' level. "Earlier, we used to sell around 20 purifiers a day, sometimes even over two days. Now, the numbers have doubled to 40 per day. Air purifiers have become essential for households, and I am receiving over 150 inquiries ..

Delhi: Central govt employees asks WFH amid hazardous air quality

Highlighting the alarming deterioration in Delhi's air quality, a body representing the Central Secretariat Service (CSS) officers on Monday demanded work-from-home, staggered working hours and air purifiers in all office buildings to mitigate the health impact of the severe pollution levels. In a letter to the Secretary of the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT), the association said that poor air quality has also had a noticeable effect on workplace productivity with employees experiencing symptoms such as respiratory issues, eye irritation, fatigue and general discomfort. "It has become imperative to take urgent measures to ensure the well-being of all, particularly those engaged in government services," said the letter by the CSS Forum. It said continuous exposure to hazardous air quality is leading to a surge in respiratory ailments and other health issues among employees and their families. "The discomfort caused by poor air quality is affecting the efficiency and out

Breathing or smoking? Delhi's air now equals 49 cigarettes per day

The national capital grapples with a serious pollution crisis as Air Quality Index soars to 978, equivalent to smoking 49 cigarettes a day

Life-threatening air quality in Delhi-NCR: What can citizens, govt do now?

As per experts, air pollution has far-reaching effects on various organs in the body. For the lungs, it can lead to conditions like allergic rhinitis, asthma, COPD, as well as lung cancer

Schools till class 9 move online amid severe plus air quality in Delhi-NCR

Amid worsening air quality in Delhi-NCR, additional restrictions like restrictions on diesel-powered vehicles and entry of trucks with non-essential items is implemented to control the air pollution

Eleven flights diverted, many delayed at Delhi airport due to bad weather

In addition to flight diversions, the smoggy conditions in Delhi-NCR have led to disruption in railway services also, with several trains experiencing delay in their arrival at the railway station

Grap-IV restrictions to remain until further notice: SC tells Delhi govt

Delhi pollution: Amid rising pollution levels in the Delhi-NCR region, Grap-IV came into effect 8 am on Monday morning, as air quality dropped to 481

'Politics on pollution': Atishi blames Centre as Delhi gasps for air

Delhi Chief Minister Atishi blamed farm fires in neighboring states - excluding Punjab, where her party also governs - for the capital's air crisis

Delhi pollution: Blame thermal plants, not just farmers for toxic air

A research by the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air reveals that thermal power plants in the national capital region release 16 times more air pollutants than stubble burning

Delhi chokes under toxic smog as AQI hits highest level this year

Delhi authorities directed all schools to move classes online and tightened restrictions on construction activities

Delhi's AQI turns 'severe plus', Grap Stage IV rules kick in: Key points

The pollution control board has recommended state governments to consider closing colleges, restricting non-essential commercial activities, and introducing odd-even vehicle rules

Delhi's air quality deteriorates to 'severe plus' category, Grap 4 kicks in

Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai will hold a meeting with the Heads of Departments of all concerned departments on Monday for the effective implementation of the GRAP IV

Delhi chokes as AQI hits 'severe plus' at 481; Grap-IV measures enforced

Delhi pollution: Amid rising pollution levels in the Delhi-NCR region, Grap-IV has come into effect from 8 am as air quality dropped to 481 on Monday morning

Delhi second-most polluted city in India as air quality remains 'severe'

Delhi's air quality worsened further on Sunday, with an AQI of 441, making it the second-most polluted city in the country. The city's 24-hour Air Quality Index (AQI), recorded at 4 pm daily, stood at 441, in the "severe" category. On Saturday, the AQI was 417. According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), a "severe" AQI poses risks to healthy individuals and severely impacts those with pre-existing health conditions. Four cities in the country recorded the AQI in the "severe" category. Bahadurgarh in Haryana topped the list with an AQI of 445, followed by Delhi (441), Bhiwani in Haryana (415) and Bikaner in Rajasthan (404), according to the CPCB's data. Of the 40 monitoring stations in the capital, data from 34 provided by the CPCB showed that 32 stations recorded the air quality in the "severe" category, with AQI levels of above 400. An AQI between 0 and 50 is considered "good", 51 and 100 "satisfactory", 101 and 200 "moderate", 201 and 300 "poor", 301 and 400 "very .

SC to hear plea seeking measures to curb air pollution in Delhi on Nov 18

The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear on Monday a plea seeking enforcement of measures to curb air pollution in the national capital. Delhi woke up to toxic air conditions on Sunday as the Air Quality Index (AQI) was recorded in the "severe" category. The AQI stood at 429 at 9 am, according to the 'Sameer App', which provides hourly updates from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). The 24-hour average AQI was recorded at 417 at 4 pm on Saturday. As per the cause list of November 18 uploaded on the apex court website, a bench of Justices Abhay S Oka and Augustine George Masih is slated to hear the plea. On November 14, the top court had agreed to urgently list the plea after it was told that Delhi should not become the most polluted city in the world due to the rising pollution. The bench had agreed to list the matter after senior advocate Aparajita Singh, who has been assisting the apex court as an amicus curiae in the matter, requested for urgent hearing looking at the ..

Delhi battles hazardous air as Grap III, vehicle bans come into effect

Experts have recommended limiting outdoor activities, especially for vulnerable groups such as children, senior citizens, and individuals with cardiovascular or respiratory conditions

News updates: Mob tries to storm CM N Biren Singh's home as Manipur protests escalate

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Air quality worsens in more areas of Delhi, over Rs 5.85 cr fine imposed

Delhi's air quality worsened further on Saturday, with many areas in the "severe" category, even as authorities intensified their action by imposing penalties of around Rs 5.85 crore on the first day of anti-pollution measures under the third stage of Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP). The city's 24-hour Air Quality Index (AQI), recorded at 4 pm daily, stood at 417, making it the worst in the country. On Friday, the AQI level was 396. According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the "severe" category air poses risks to healthy individuals and severely impacts those with existing health conditions. Out of Delhi's 39 monitoring stations, data shared by the CPCB showed that all except for Sri Aurobindo Marg reported air quality in the "severe" category, with AQI levels above 400. Following Delhi, Jind in Haryana recorded the second-worst air quality with a reading of 394, while Bahadurgarh, also in the neighbouring state, ranked third with a reading of 388. An AQI betwee

Delhi traffic police slaps fines totalling Rs 1 cr for Grap-3 violations

Delhi Traffic Police has issued around 550 challans, imposing a total fine of over Rs one crore, to BS III petrol and BS IV diesel vehicles on Friday on the first day of the ban on these vehicles under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) III in the national capital, officials said. According to police, they have also issued challans to 4,855 vehicles imposing a total of Rs 4.8 crore in fines for not having Pollution Under Control Certificates (PUCC) in the national capital on Friday. A fine of Rs 10,000 is imposed on motorists for not having a valid pollution under control (PUC) certificate. These challans get released from courts. Private BS III petrol and BS IV diesel vehicles were banned from roads with violations inviting a penalty of Rs 20,000. Diesel and petrol inter-state buses from the NCR cities to Delhi are also banned. A senior police officer said that they have issued a total of 293 challans for BS-III and BS-IV vehicles in the eastern, central and northern ranges of

Delhi gasps as air quality remains hazardous; govt tightens Grap III curbs

Delhi government enforces a ban on BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel four-wheelers under Grap-III from Friday, violators will face fine up to Rs 20,000