Page 24 - Delhi Pollution

Smog towers not practical solution to air pollution: Delhi pollution board

Two experimental smog towers in the city have not been effective in reducing air pollution and the operation of these costly giant air purifiers lacks merit, the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) has told the National Green Tribunal (NGT). In a report submitted to the NGT last week, the pollution control body emphasised that smog towers cannot be a "practical solution" to the air pollution problem and the two such structures in Delhi should be re-purposed for the "dissemination of technical information on air pollution control as a museum". In the report, DPCC's senior scientist Nandita Moitra said the Rs 25-crore smog tower at Connaught Place, operational for two years, can only mitigate air pollution by up to 17 per cent within a 100-metre radius. Considering Delhi's vast area of 1,483 square kilometres, the pollution control body said the city would need more than 47,000 such towers, with each costing Rs 25 crore for installation and requiring Rs 15 lakh monthly for ...

Delhi pollution row: LG Saxena attacks Delhi, Punjab govts over crisis

Lt Governor V K Saxena on Thursday targeted AAP governments in Delhi and Punjab over air pollution in the city, saying Delhi can do little to stop smoke from stubble-burning from other states. He also highlighted that the problem in the national capital can be mitigated by reducing "dust that our unrepaired roads, unpaved pavements and construction sites cause" and curbing vehicular emissions. Saxena said the national capital can do little to stop crop residue smoke from other states and added "blaming others should not be alibi for gross inaction over years." Saxena also accused the Punjab government of "playing truant." "We can do little to stop crop residue smoke from other States, apart from pleading with them. Despite States, especially Punjab playing truant, we are, but petitioners for mercy. AQI yet hovers around 400, making the capital gasp," he said in a post. Delhi's air quality fluctuated between "very poor" and "severe" categories on Thursday as unfavourable meteorolog

Poisonous haze blanketing Delhi thickens, air quality turns 'severe' again

The poisonous haze blanketing Delhi thickened on Wednesday with the air quality turning severe again amid stable atmospheric conditions. The national capital's 24-hour average Air Quality Index (AQI), recorded at 4 pm every day, stood at 401. It was 397 on Tuesday. It was 358 on Monday and 218 on Sunday, 220 on Saturday, 279 on Friday and 437 on Thursday. Neighbouring Ghaziabad (378), Gurugram (297), Greater Noida (338), Noida (360) and Faridabad (390) also recorded very poor air quality. 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'. Delhi's air quality dropped over the last few days despite the state government implementing stringent measures, including a ban on construction work and the entry of diesel-guzzling trucks into the city, to control pollution. According to IQAir, a Swiss company that specialises in air quality ...

Cases of respiratory issues, eye irritation rise in Delhi hospitals

Though Delhi recorded a brief improvement in air quality last week, city hospitals continue to report a rise in the number of patients visiting hospitals for respiratory issues, prolonged coughing, throat infections and eye irritation. The national capital experienced 'very poor' to 'severe' air quality for two weeks starting October 28 with a suffocating haze lingering over the city during the period. Intermittent rain led to a rapid improvement in Delhi's air quality on Friday by over 150 points. However, the respite was short-lived as people flouted the ban on firecrackers on Diwali on Sunday, leading to a jump in pollution levels. Doctors at many government-run and private hospitals said the rise in cases of prolonged coughing, throat infection, eye irritation, nasal discharge and asthma exacerbation continues. Out-patient department (OPD) footfalls may have gone down "very slightly" as people generally avoid going to hospitals during the festive season. "We barely witnessed tw

BJP controls police, why didn't they stop crackers: Gopal Rai on Delhi AQI

Going on the offensive against the BJP, Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai said that the party was trying to hide its mistakes

Two days after Diwali, air quality in Delhi falls to 'severe'; AQI at 430

AQI.CN pegged the air quality index (AQI) in the national capital at 428. The AQI in Punjabi Bagh was recorded at 341, whereas in RK Puram AQI was at 350

Delhi pollution: AAP minister checks Singhu border for vehicle restrictions

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.

RML Hospital in Delhi to open special pollution OPD amid worsening levels

"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"

LIVE: NDMC doubles parking fee amid increasing pollution post Diwali

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Didn't SC ban firecrackers: Cong questions violation of ban on fireworks

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

Delhi Minister Gopal Rai calls for review meeting on pollution post Diwali

Additionally, the post-Diwali celebrations in the region have posed a matter of concern for the residents in the area and its adjoining places

Smog engulfs Delhi after Diwali celebration amid worsening air quality

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

What is a smog tower and do they work? How is India fighting air pollution?

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.

Rain brings respite, Delhi's air quality in 'poor' category for second day

As part of the inspection process, several Delhi ministers inspected different areas and borders connecting Delhi to neighbouring states on Thursday

Rainfall reduced air pollution by 50%: Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai

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

Did we ask you to implement odd-even on taxis, SC asks Delhi govt

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 breathes easy after rain, Diwali air quality unlikely to be severe

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 ...

Delhi govt announces 'Diya Jalao, Patakhe nahi' campaign after AQI drops

"We all should take responsibility for our own lives. One should not do work that increases pollution," Rai said

Delhi govt says the odd-even scheme will not come into effect for now

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

Centre asks Delhi to ramp up healthcare preps for pollution-triggered rush

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 ...