Environment Minister Gopal Rai on Monday sai that GRAP IV regulations will remain enforced in Delhi until the next order of the Commission for Air Quality Management.
"We have decided that a special OPD will run for pollution-related illnesses where comprehensive care can be given to the patients and will include a multi-departmental clinic"
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Trinamool Congress MP Saket Gokhale also wrote to the Delhi police on Monday seeking information on cases filed against the bursting of firecrackers on Diwali night
Additionally, the post-Diwali celebrations in the region have posed a matter of concern for the residents in the area and its adjoining places
Visuals from various parts of Delhi showed thick haze covering the roads, significantly reducing visibility and making it difficult to see beyond a few hundred metres
When temperatures drop and wind speed declines, toxic particles from car tailpipes, industrial chimneys, and construction sites remain trapped over India's capital and its satellite cities.
As part of the inspection process, several Delhi ministers inspected different areas and borders connecting Delhi to neighbouring states on Thursday
He added that the government was working to address vehicular pollution, dust pollution, bio-mass burning pollution, and stubble burning pollution while also reducing cracker bursting
The Delhi government said that the court's suggestion to ban app-based taxis registered outside Delhi from entering the capital may cause a problem for commuters
Delhi breathed easy on Friday after intermittent rain cleared the suffocating haze that had been lingering for more than 10 days and improved the city's AQI by over 150 points. The national capital's 24-hour average Air Quality Index (AQI), recorded at 4 pm every day, stood at 279, significantly improving from 437 on Thursday. The city experienced 'very poor' to 'severe' air quality for two weeks starting October 28. An AQI between zero and 50 is considered 'good', 51 and 100 'satisfactory', 101 and 200 'moderate', 201 and 300 'poor', 301 and 400 'very poor', 401 and 450 'severe' and above 450 'severe plus'. The air quality is expected to improve further due to wind speed favourable for the dispersion of pollutants. The AQI at any given time is the average of readings taken in the previous 24 hours. The Safdarjung Observatory, Delhi's primary weather station, recorded 6 mm rainfall in the 24 hours ended at 8.30 am on Friday and 4.2 mm between 8.30 am and 5.30 pm, the India ...
"We all should take responsibility for our own lives. One should not do work that increases pollution," Rai said
Gopal Rai said the government will review the air quality situation after Diwali, and a call on the odd-even scheme may be taken if there's a sudden dip in air quality
The Union Health Ministry has asked Delhi and its neighbouring states to make necessary healthcare preparations to deal with any rush of patients triggered by poor air quality that may worsen in the upcoming festive season. In a letter to the health departments of Delhi, Haryana, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan this week, Director General of Health Services Atul Goel said air pollution not only accounts for acute illnesses but also precipitates exacerbation of chronic illnesses of respiratory, cardiovascular and cerebrovascular systems. "The consequences are graver for vulnerable population such as children, pregnant women, older people, those with pre-existing illnesses, and those exposed due to their occupations such as those involved in traffic policing and municipality work, etc.," Dr Goel said and urged the state authorities for necessary healthcare preparedness. This would require increased allocation of beds, stock updates on medicines and equipment related to case ...
Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, Kolkata, Ahmedabad, and Pune, which have been affected by higher levels of air pollution, are witnessing a strong demand for air purifiers
Delhi air pollution today: Parts of Delhi saw some respite due to rain, but the city largely continues to struggle with an AQI of over 400
More than 130,000 app-based cabs ply on Delhi's roads daily, according to industry estimates
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Response to rising AQI: Firms offer low-cost EV loans, install air purifiers, allow hybrid work
Environment Minister Gopal Rai on Thursday said all ministers of the Delhi government will work at the ground level to ensure strict implementation of air pollution control measures in the national capital. Addressing a press conference here, Rai expressed concern over negligence on part of officers in the implementation of measures outlined in the Centre's air pollution control plan called Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP). "We have now decided that all ministers will work at the ground level, they will conduct inspections and ensure strict implementation of all air pollution control measures," he said. While Rai will monitor the implementation of these steps in the North and Northeast districts of Delhi, Kailash Gehlot will conduct inspections in the Southwest and West districts. Atishi will be responsible for the East and Southeast districts, Saurabh Bharadwaj for the South and New Delhi districts, Imran Hussain for the Central and Shahdara districts and Raj Kumar Anand for the