Page 36 - Latest Updates on Delhi air quality

Bengaluru struggles with 'moderate' AQI, other Southern cities breathe easy

While Bengaluru grapples with a moderate AQI of 110 due to vehicle emissions, several southern cities, including Udupi, Thrissur, and Tirunelveli, enjoy 'good' air quality levels

Central govt amends rules for stubble burning in Delhi, surrounding areas

These changes reflect the amendment to the rules governing the imposition of environmental compensation for stubble burning under the Commission for Air Quality Management

Vehicular emissions major cause of Delhi's winter pollution, says CSE

Vehicular emission is the top contributor to Delhi's pollution during winter season--more than stubble burning, road dust or bursting of fire crackers -- with over 50 per cent of pollution from local sources linked to city's fragmented transportation system, according to the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE). An estimated 1.1 million vehicles enter and exit Delhi daily, further worsening the air quality. The traffic caused from this vehicle influx intensifies pollution, particularly nitrogen oxides (NOx), which account for 81 per cent of NOx pollution in Delhi. According to data presented by the CSE, local pollution sources in Delhi account for 30.34 per cent of the city's air pollution (50.1 per cent of which is contributed through transportation), while 34.97 per cent originates from the neighbouring NCR districts and 27.94 per cent from other areas. Stubble burning contributes only 8.19 per cent to Delhi's pollution levels. These data points are based on the CSE's analysi

AQI having 'good days' increased, specific action taken: Delhi govt to NGT

The Delhi government has submitted an action taken report on air pollution to the National Green Tribunal, saying the air quality index showing "good days" between January and October in the city increased from 157 in 2018 to 201 in 2024. Good days are a cumulative of days where the AQI has been recorded as good, satisfactory and moderate. The report said "specific mitigation action" was being taken at the 13 pollution hotspots in Delhi. On October 24, the NGT while hearing the matter regarding the deteriorating air quality in the national capital, necessitating the invoking of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), directed the Delhi government to file its report. "With consistent efforts from stakeholder departments, good days have increased from 157 in 2018 to 206 in 2023 from January to October. This year till October 29, there have been 201 good days," said the report submitted on Monday. It said a 21-point winter action plan with around 30 government stakeholder departments

Clock ticking as Delhi's AQI worsens, 13 areas in 'severe' air quality zone

In Delhi, NSIT Dwarka, Nehru Nagar, Moti Marg, Anand Vihar, Ashok Vihar, Dwarka, Sonia Vihar, Vivek Vihar were among the areas that suffered from 'severe' pollution levels

Toxic smog blankets Delhi as winter nears, air quality index hits 'severe'

The city's overall score on an air quality index kept by India's top pollution authorities was 'very poor' at 384, the ministry added, and was likely to stay there until Thursday

Air purifier sales spike over 50% as air quality worsens in Delhi-NCR

Demand for air purifiers has witnessed a surge as air quality, especially in Delhi-NCR, dropped to hazardous levels, according to manufacturers of the product. Companies, including Kent RO Systems, Xiaomi, and LG Electronics India, said in the festive season, air purifiers sales grew up to 50 per cent as the Air Quality Index (AQI) of Delhi and the adjoining moved towards an alarming level. Like the previous year, the appliance makers have witnessed growth in the last 2-3 weeks in sales and enquiries for air-purifiers and expect a further uptick with the increase in the AQI index in the coming weeks. Air purifier is a very small segment of the appliances market and its sales generally peaks in October and November, when the pollution level in North India, particularly Delhi NCR, and some other parts worsens due to stubble burning and Diwali celebrations. LG Electronics India Senior VP- Home Appliances Sanjay Chitkara said: As Delhi battles one of its worst pollution seasons yet, ..

Authorities in Delhi fine owners of polluting vehicles, building sites

Environmental compensation payments have been ordered for 597 sites, while 56 have been told to close

Delhi AQI near 'severe' mark; six Indian cities in 'red' zone: Top updates

Multiple air quality monitoring stations hovered close to the 'severe' mark in Delhi, with Anand Vihar and Ashok Vihar recording an AQI of over 400

Brief relief fades as Delhi's AQI climbs to 'hazardous' levels post-Diwali

The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data shows that certain areas of Delhi are grappling with hazardous pollution levels

Delhi's Diwali fireworks lead to high pollution, AQI remains 'very poor'

Delhi experienced a surge in bursting of firecrackers during Diwali, leading to a significant rise in pollution levels. The air quality index remained in the 'very poor' category across most areas

Delhi ranks as world's most polluted city with air quality at 'very poor'

Despite a firecracker ban, Diwali celebrations in Delhi saw heavy use of fireworks, causing the AQI to hit 'very poor' levels, with some areas nearing 'severe' as thick smog settled in

Delhi's air quality continues to deteriorate, remains 'very poor' on Diwali

Delhi's air quality continued to deteriorate, remaining in the "very poor" category on Diwali, with levels expected to worsen to the "severe" category due to bursting of firecrackers at night. Delhiites woke up Thursday to a sky shrouded in a thick layer of smog. The air in Anand Vihar, a major terminus, was extremely polluted with the AQI in the "severe" category. The city's 24-hour average Air Quality Index (AQI) was recorded at 328 at 4 pm, up from 307 on Wednesday when the city celebrated Chhoti Diwali. In 2023, Delhi residents enjoyed clearer skies and abundant sunshine on Diwali, with an AQI of 218, compared to 312 in 2022, 382 in 2021, 414 in 2020, 337 in 2019, 281 in 2018, 319 in 2017, and 431 in 2016, according to the Central Pollution Control Board data. Last year, a decrease in stubble-burning incidents and rain before Diwali, along with favourable meteorological conditions, prevented the national capital from turning into a gas chamber after the festival. The pollutan

Delhi AQI dips to 'very poor' on day of Diwali; Anand Vihar air 'severe'

The 24-hour average Air Quality Index in Noida was 230. Similar conditions were observed in Ghaziabad, with an average AQI of 237. In Gurugram, air quality recorded a slightly lower AQI of 213

Delhi's air deteriorate on Diwali eve, pollution level likely to go up

Delhi's air quality slipped into the "very poor" category on the eve of Diwali, with pollution levels expected to go up on Thursday, even as authorities said strict action will be taken against those violating the firecracker ban. The city's 24-hour average Air Quality Index (AQI) was recorded at 307 at 4 pm, up from 268 on Tuesday, according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). The Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM), Pune said the air quality in the national capital is likely to be in the "very poor" category (AQI 300 to 400) on Thursday and Friday. The air quality may also reach the severe category on these two days in case of additional emissions from firecrackers and stubble or waste fires. According to the Decision Support System (DSS) for Air Quality Management, if stubble burning occurs at levels similar to the last five years, it could contribute 15-18 per cent to Delhi's pollution on these dates. This is exacerbated by winds from the northwest, which

A day before Diwali, Delhi has the fourth worst AQI in India: See list here

In such air quality conditions, CPCB warns that most people risk experiencing breathing discomfort from prolonged exposure to toxic air containing particulate matter (PM) 2.5 and 10

Delhi, Mumbai record poor AQI levels in Oct; Kolkata remains an outlier

India's major cities face severe air quality issues, with Delhi's AQI exceeding 300 for two days; Kolkata is the only city below 100

Delhi AQI improves slightly to 'poor' category; may turn 'severe' on Diwali

The anti-pollution body warned that the AQI may hover in the 'very poor' category till Wednesday; on Thursday, it could reach 'severe' levels if stubble burning and firecracker bans are ignored

Punjab sees 50% dip in post-harvest farm fires; no effect on Delhi's air

Farm fires in Punjab, often blamed for the rise in Delhi's air pollution, have gone down by 50 per cent since last year in the post-harvest period, with little effect on the air quality in the national capital. From September 15 to October 27, Punjab has seen 1,995 farm fire cases as compared to 4,059 in the corresponding period last year, as per data from the Punjab Remote Sensing Centre. The farm fire incidents in the period have gone down by 75 per cent since 2022. The state recorded 8,147 farm fires in 2022 in this period. After paddy harvesting in October and November, stubble burning in Punjab, Haryana and states adjacent to Delhi are said to contribute to pollution in Delhi. Paddy procurement is underway in Punjab. On Sunday, Punjab saw 138 farm fires -- Ferozepur with highest such incidents, followed by Sangrur and Fatehgarh Sahib, according to data. On the same day in 2022 and 2023, the state had seen 1,111 and 766 farm fires, respectively. The drop in farm fire cases, .

Delhi air quality remains 'very poor' for second day after brief relief

The air quality in Delhi dipped to the 'very poor' category again on Sunday after remaining in 'poor' levels for two previous days, aided by favourable winds