Delhi-ncr

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-NCR jurisdiction ambiguities helping criminals evade trial, says SC

Last week, the apex court stressed the urgent need for an effective legal mechanism to deal with inter-state complications that frequently derail trials in grave offences under Central Penal Laws

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

Dense fog, cold wave to persist as winter tightens grip across North India

IMD warns that an active western disturbance, falling temperatures and dense fog may continue to affect visibility and disrupt transport services across multiple states

Clean air draws tourists to Himachal hills as AQI worsens in Delhi-NCR

Experts from the Himachal Pradesh Environment Science and Climate Change Centre have also highlighted the stark contrast in air quality between the plains and the hill state

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 airport sees 129 flight cancellations as dense fog slows operations

At least 129 flights were cancelled at the Delhi airport on Saturday due to dense fog, according to an official. Flight operations have been disrupted for the past several days at Delhi and other airports due to dense fog, resulting in low visibility conditions. The official said at least 66 arrivals and 63 departures have been cancelled. "Low Visibility Procedures are currently in progress at Delhi Airport. All flight operations are functioning normally," Delhi airport operator DIAL said in a post on X in the afternoon. Delhi International Airport Ltd (DIAL) operates the Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA), the country's largest airport, which generally handles around 1,300 flights daily.

Delhi air remains 'very poor' as non-BS VI private vehicles barred

GRAP Stage IV measures remain in force across Delhi-NCR as authorities bar non-BS VI private vehicles, enforce 'No PUC, No Fuel', tighten construction curbs and advise at least 50% work-from-home

BS-VI rule in Delhi explained: What it is and how to check your vehicle

BS emission standards are enforced to phase out high-polluting vehicles. Here's what BS-VI means, how it differs from older norms, and how to check your vehicle's category

Golden Growth Fund deploys ₹58 cr in South Delhi luxury floor projects

Golden Growth Fund said it has deployed Rs 58 crore to acquire two South Delhi projects in Anand Niketan and Niti Bagh for luxury floors, with an estimated sales potential of Rs 85 crore

Delhi pollution crisis: HC advises lawyers to avail hybrid mode for hearing

Amid severe pollution levels in the city, the Delhi High Court on Monday advised lawyers and parties-in-person to avail hybrid mode of appearance through video conferencing in their matters listed before it. Delhi choked under a thick blanket of smog on Monday, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) settling at 498, which falls in the higher spectrum of 'severe' category A circular issued by the registrar general of the high court said, in view of the prevailing weather conditions, I have been directed to convey that if convenient, members of the bar/ parties-in-person may avail hybrid mode of appearance through video conferencing facility in their matters listed before the hon'ble courts. On Sunday, Chief Justice of India Surya Kant also advised members of the Bar and parties-in-person to avail hybrid mode of appearance through video conferencing in matters listed before the Supreme Court in view of the prevailing weather conditions. Presently, the high court functions through a hybrid

SC to hear plea on worsening Delhi-NCR air pollution on December 17

The Supreme Court on Monday said it will list for hearing on December 17 a plea related to worsening air pollution levels in Delhi-NCR. A bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and justices Joymalya Bagchi and Vipul M Pamcholi took note of the submissions of senior advocate Aprajita Singh, who is assisting it as an amicus curiae, that though the preventive measures are there in place but the key issue was of their poor implementation by the authorities. Singh said till this court directs something, the authorities do not comply with the protocols which are already there. This is coming up before a three judges bench on Wednesday. It will come up, the CJI said. Another lawyer referred to an application relating to the health issue of children, and said schools, despite the earlier orders, are holding outdoor sports activities. Despite the order of this court, Schools have found ways and means to have these sporting activities.. it is taking place. The CAQM (Commission for Air ..

Dense fog and cold wave grips north Indian states; IMD issues alert

Delhi-NCR sees dense morning fog with reduced visibility while cold wave conditions continue in Telangana and interior Karnataka

Delhi-NCR invokes Grap Stage-IV curbs amid sharp dip in air quality

The Commission for Air Quality Management on Saturday invoked stricter GRAP Stage-III restrictions, including shifting schools to hybrid mode up to Class 5 and restrictions on construction and demolition work, in Delhi-NCR after pollution levels rose sharply amid unfavourable meteorological conditions. The national capital's 24-hour average air quality index (AQI) stood at 349 but jumped to 401 by 10 am on Saturday, "owing to slow wind speed, stable atmosphere, unfavourable weather parameters and meteorological conditions and lack of dispersal of pollutants", the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) said in a statement. It said that due to the prevailing trend of air quality, and to further prevent deterioration in the region, the CAQM GRAP Sub-Committee on Saturday took the call to invoke all actions under Stage-III of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) 'Severe' Air Quality with immediate effect in the NCR. This is in addition to the actions under Stages I and II of GRA

Delhi air quality improves slightly, overall AQI in 'poor' category today

Seventeen of the city's 39 monitoring stations still recorded AQI levels above 300, but most showed signs of improvement compared with last week

NCRTC clears DPR for Namo Bharat link across Gurugram-Faridabad-Noida

The DPR for the ₹15,000-crore Namo Bharat corridor is ready, clearing the way for a new 61-km high-speed link connecting Gurugram, Faridabad and Noida

Birla Estates partners Sikka Group to co-develop ₹1,600 cr Noida project

Birla Estates has tied up with Sikka Group to co-develop a ₹1,600-crore Greater Noida housing project, leveraging new revival policies that allow creditworthy developers to take over stalled projects

Delhi air stays 'very poor' as over 30 stations record AQI above 300

City records average AQI of 333; falling temperatures, and lower wind speed hinder dispersion of pollutants