Page 15 - Delhi Pollution

Closely monitoring Delhi pollution, strict measures to be taken: Gopal Rai

A day after Delhi's air quality plunged to the 'severe' category, Environment Minister Gopal Rai on Thursday said strict pollution control measures would be enforced if the conditions worsened. Rai also attributed the worsening air quality to a combination of calm winds and a drop in temperature that caused the pollutants to remain trapped in the air. The national capital's Air Quality Index (AQI) at 9 am remained in the 'severe' category, with a reading of 428. On Wednesday, Delhi reported the worst AQI in the country, with the air quality turning 'severe' for the first time this season. Rai said at a press conference that there had been a change in the weather pattern during the past two days. Wind speeds are expected to pick up between Friday and Saturday, reaching six to 12 kilometres per hour and that should help reduce pollution levels, he said. Regarding the implementation of pollution mitigation measures under GRAP III, the minister said it would not be imposed yet as the

'White Category' industries no longer need State Pollution Board approval

These permissions are known officially as 'Consent To Establish' (CTE) and 'Consent To Operate' (CTO), consent to establish is granted by the state pollution control board

Thick smog envelops Delhi-NCR; AQI falls to ‘severe’ category

A thick blanket of smog covered Delhi and its neighboring areas including Noida, Ghaziabad, Gurugram and Faridabad on Wednesday morning.

Delhi air pollution: BJP demands closure of schools up to Class 5

The BJP on Wednesday demanded the Delhi government order the closure of all schools up to Class five in view of the worsening air pollution situation as it hit out at the AAP over the issue, claiming the city has become a gas chamber. The national capital experienced the season's first dense fog on Wednesday, with "very poor" air quality. The air quality index (AQI) was 366 according to the Central Pollution Control Board's (CPCB) real-time data at 9 am. Interacting with reporters, Delhi BJP president Virendra Sachdeva said the AAP government in Delhi should shut down all private and government schools up to class five to protect the children from the hazardous air quality. The Delhi government has "completely failed" to control pollution, Sachdeva said and claimed the PM 2.5 levels have crossed 400, and PM 10 levels have crossed 1,000. "Delhi has become a gas chamber where everyone is coughing and complaining of trouble in breathing," he said. Children and the elderly are the big

Gurugram uses 'Artificial Rain' against air pollution; did it really help?

A Gurugram housing society conducted "Artificial Rain" using sprinklers from a high-rise building to counter the increasing pollution

Toxic emissions from Okhla waste plant put millions at health risk: Report

An investigation by The New York Times reveals Delhi's Okhla waste-to-energy plant emits high levels of toxins like cadmium and arsenic, with illegal ash dumping in residential areas

Delhi AQI very poor: Rohini, Anand Vihar 'smoking over 20 cigarettes' daily

Data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) showed that pollution hotspots like Anand Vihar, Rohini, and Mundka were the hardest hit, with AQI levels exceeding 400

Delhi air quality plummets, AQI hits 347 as dense smog blankets city

Delhi's air quality hit 'very poor' with an AQI of 347; thick smog reduced visibility across the city. Govt steps up anti-pollution efforts with EV initiatives, drones, and anti-smog guns

The clean air challenge: Delhi braces for worsening pollution this season

GRAP has become the only time we act, which, obviously, is too little and too late

News updates: Had Cong given priority to rural India, we would have less poverty, says Nitin Gadkari

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10k bus marshals removed last yr to return for anti-pollution work: Atishi

Delhi Chief Minister Atishi said on Saturday that about 10,000 Civil Defence Volunteers (CDVs) who were removed as bus marshals last year will return to work for four months from next week, and enforce various anti-pollution measures. The Delhi government has approved a proposal to this effect, she said. The call out notices will be issued to the CDVs from Monday and then they can start registration at respective district magistrate office on Tuesday and Wednesday, she said. Within two-three days of the registration, the CDVs will be deployed on duties like management of pollution hotspots, preventing dust pollution and garbage burning, she said in a press briefing. The CDVs were deployed as bus marshals in 2018 by then Kejriwal government to ensure women safety but the BJP under a conspiracy got them removed in October 2023, the chief minister alleged. "However, led by Kejriwal, AAP leaders and ministers fought alongside the removed bus marshals and got them their jobs back," she

Delhi AQI slightly improves; drone-based mist targeting pollution hotspots

Data from Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) showed that Bawana, Anand Vihar, Dwarka were some of the most affected areas of Delhi, recording an AQI close to 400

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

Shehzad Poonawalla accuses AAP's Delhi govt of 'anti-Sanatan mindset'

Chhath puja is being celebrated and even so the pollution level in River Yamuna is on an all time high with toxic foams floating all over, Poonawalla attacked AAP govt

SC raps Delhi govt over pollution; says firecracker ban hardly implemented

The Supreme Court has demanded explanations from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government and the Delhi police regarding the failure to enforce the ban

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

News updates: 'In touch with US to clarify issues', says MEA on US sanctions on Indian entities

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Delhi's Diwali: Noise levels surged most in Karol Bagh; RK Puram quieter

On Diwali, 22 out of 31 monitored areas reported higher noise levels than last year, with only nine areas showing a reduction

India sees hottest October in 124 yrs; November won't be much different

Minimum temperatures for October reached unprecedented levels, the highest since the IMD began keeping records in 1901

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