Page 26 - Delhi Pollution

We are being targeted, defamed for Delhi air pollution, say Punjab farmers

Farmers in Punjab Tuesday said they were unnecessarily being targeted and defamed for air pollution in Delhi, asserting that industries, vehicles and the construction sector are the major sources of pollution in the national capital and not stubble burning. Paddy straw burning in Punjab and Haryana is considered a contributing factor to the spike in pollution levels in Delhi in October and November every year. Amid the recent decline in air quality in the national capital, the AAP and the BJP have blamed stubble burning in states ruled by the other for the pollution. Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema on Monday said most stubble burning incidents are being witnessed in the BJP-ruled Haryana and Uttar Pradesh whereas such cases are declining in his state. On the other hand, Haryana Agriculture Minister Jai Prakash Dalal on Saturday had slammed the Bhagwant Mann government over the stubble burning incidents in the state. Bharti Kisan Union (Ugrahan) general secretary Sukhde

Delhi's air quality dips to 394, improves slightly to 'very poor' category

According to the data by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the national capital's AQI was 421 on Monday evening

'Odd-even' scheme back in Delhi from Nov 13 to Nov 20 to curb pollution

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal had called a high-level meeting on the issue of increasing pollution today

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Delhi-NCR's air quality 'severe': Schools closed, WFH ordered, traffic curbed

Pollution levels in Delhi-NCR on Monday morning were recorded around seven to eight times above the government-prescribed safe limit, as a toxic haze persisted over the region >

Over 2,200 vehicles challaned in Delhi amid stricter anti-pollution norms

The Delhi Police has issued challans to more than 2,200 vehicles in the national capital on Sunday in view of the increasing pollution and deteriorating air quality level here, officials said. Plying old diesel/petrol vehicles and trucks, carrying non-essential material, in the national capital attracts a challan of Rs 20,000 under the Motor Vehicle Act. A senior police officer said Delhi has 20 major borders, including Rajokari, Kapashera, Badarpur, Kalindi Kunj, Tikri, Auchandi, Bhopura, Apsara, Chilla, Singhu. "We have 20 major borders in the national capital where we have deployed our staff. We are implementing the directions under GRAP IV and the non destined vehicles are being sent back. However, vehicles carrying essential commodities are being allowed. "There are 13 pollution hot spots in the city where we have deployed the staff. The joint drive is being carried out with the MCD against the encroachment and unauthorised parking. We have deployed our staff during peak hours

Several resident welfare associations criticise odd-even scheme in Delhi

Several resident welfare associations in Delhi on Monday criticised the state government's decision to re-introduce the odd-even rule, while many others called for a complete lockdown to combat the rising air pollution. A network of 2500 RWAs, URJA, called the move a "political gimmick" and said that it does not have a bearing on improving the pollution. "The odd-even scheme is a political gimmick by the state government which has failed in introducing actionable solutions to this serious issue of pollution in Delhi. We are not happy with this decision," Atul Goel, president, United Residents Joint Action (URJA), said. Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai on Monday announced that the odd-even car rationing scheme will be enforced in the city post Diwali from November 13 to 20 to control air pollution. A decision on extension of the odd-even scheme will be taken after November 20. The RWA in north Delhi expressed displeasure over the initiatives taken by the Delhi government to dea

Delhi schools to suspend physical classes till Nov 10 amidst high pollution

All schools in Delhi have been directed to suspend physical classes, barring classes 10 and 12, until November 10 in view of rising pollution levels, Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai announced on Monday. Pollution levels in Delhi-NCR on Monday morning were recorded around seven to eight times above the government-prescribed safe limit, as a toxic haze persisted over the region for the seventh consecutive day. On Sunday, Delhi Education Minister Atishi had announced closure of primary classes of all schools until November 10 and said schools have the option of teaching online for classes 6 to 12. However, all government and private schools opted to hold physical classes for classes 6 to 12. The 24-hour average Air Quality Index (AQI), recorded at 4 pm every day, worsened from 415 on Saturday to 454 on Sunday, prompting the Centre to implement all emergency measures mandated under the final Stage IV of its air pollution control plan called the Graded Response Action Plan ...

Delhi CM Kejriwal calls high-level meeting amid rising pollution levels

This meeting will be held in Delhi Secretariat at 12 noon

As air pollution turns 'severe', GRAP Stage 4 implemented in Delhi-NCR

The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) on Sunday decided to invoke Stage IV of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) in the entire National Capital Region (NCR) with immediate effect to prevent further deterioration of air quality.The Air Quality Commission said that Stage IV will be implemented in addition to the restrictions placed under Stage I to III."Keeping in view the prevailing trend of air quality and in an effort to prevent further deterioration of air quality in the region, the Sub-Committee today has taken the call to invoke all actions as envisaged under Stage-IV of GRAP 'Severe+' Air Quality (Delhi's AQI > 450), with immediate effect in the entire NCR. This is in addition to the preventive and restrictive actions mentioned under Stage 1, Stage II, and Stage III of GRAP," an official notification issued by CAQM read.According to the 8-point action plan, there will be a ban on entry of truck traffic into Delhi (except for trucks carrying essential ...

Entry of polluting trucks and commercial vehicles banned in Delhi

The Centre on Sunday ordered a ban on construction work related to linear public projects in Delhi-NCR and the entry of polluting trucks and commercial four-wheelers into the capital as an air quality crisis gripped the region. These measures constitute the final stage, Stage IV, of the Centre's air pollution control plan, which is activated at least three days before the Air Quality Index surpasses the 450 mark in the capital. However, proactive implementation could not happen this time. The CAQM, a statutory body responsible for formulating strategies to combat pollution in the region, asked Delhi and NCR states to implement all emergency measures, which also include work-from-home directives for 50 per cent of staff in government and private offices. Under the final stage (Stage IV) of the Graded Response Action Plan, only CNG, electric, and BS VI-compliant vehicles from other states are allowed to enter Delhi, with exemptions granted to those involved in essential services. Al

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Delhi Fire Services starts spraying water to curb severe air pollution

Delhi Fire Service Director Atul Garg said, "From this morning we have started spraying water. We have identified 13 hotspots, and our main focus will be on them..."

Stubble burning in Haryana causes spike in Delhi's air pollution: Gopal Rai

The minister said that as per the Centre's data, cases of stubble burning in Punjab have been reduced

Primary schools in Delhi shut till Nov 10 amid rising pollution levels

All primary schools in the national capital will remain shut till November 10 in view of rising pollution levels in the city, Delhi Education Minister Atishi announced on Sunday. For classes 6 to 12, schools have the option of teaching online. As pollution levels continue to remain high, primary schools in Delhi will stay closed till November 10. For Grade 6-12, schools are being given the option of shifting to online classes, Atishi said on X. A toxic haze lingered over Delhi for the sixth consecutive day on Sunday as pollution levels once again reached the severe plus category due to unfavourable wind conditions, particularly calm winds during the night. The air quality index deteriorated from 415 at 4 pm on Saturday to 460 at 7 am on Sunday. Earlier, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal had announced that all government and private primary schools in Delhi will remain closed on November 3 and November 4, in view of rising pollution levels. Under the Centre's air pollution control pl

Delhi's AQI in 'severe' category, Gopal Rai urges Centre to convene meeting

Gurugram also joined the list of cities as the AQI dipped to the 'severe' category at 404

Poor air quality affects mental development of children, say health experts

The health experts of Safdarjung Hospital, one of the biggest hospitals in Delhi, said that for healthy lungs, the AQI must remain below 60

CTI writes to PM Modi; flags issue of decline in biz due to Delhi pollution

CTI chairperson Brijesh Goyal said business is declining despite the festive season due to pollution. The central government is requested to take strict and concrete steps against air pollution

Permit only CNG, electric, BS VI vehicles in Delhi-NCR: Rai urges Centre

Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai on Saturday urged the Centre to permit only CNG, electric, and BS VI-compliant vehicles in Delhi-NCR to combat vehicular pollution. In a letter to Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav, he expressed concerns about the expected deterioration in air quality in the coming days due to Diwali and stubble burning in neighbouring states. "Therefore, an emergency meeting should be convened with NCR states to address the issue," he said. Starting from November 1, only electric, CNG, and BS VI-compliant diesel buses are allowed to operate between Delhi and the cities and towns in Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan that fall within the National Capital Region (NCR), according to directions issued by the Centre's Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM). Rai suggested that the Centre should also implement a ban on all vehicles non-compliant with BS VI norms in the entire National Capital Region. Various emission inventory and source apportionme

Delhi AQI improves marginally to 413; haze persists, health concerns rise

Friday's 24-hour average AQI (468) was the worst since the previous high of 471 recorded on November 12, 2021