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PremiumDelhi air quality LIVE: Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai is scheduled to conduct a meeting on Thursday with various departments to discuss the efficient execution of measures specified in the central air pollution control plan, according to officials.
The meeting is set to take place at 1 pm at the Delhi Secretariat.
Meanwhile, Delhi, NCR regions are experiencing ‘very poor’ air quality on Thursday. As per SAFAR data, the overall air quality in the national capital stood at 386.
As per the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the air quality at 7 am in Bawana was recorded at 442, RK Puram was 418 in Jahangirpuri it was 441 in Dwarka it was 416 in Alipur 415, in Anand Vihar at 412, in ITO it was 412 and near the Delhi airport the AQI was recorded at 401.
An official from the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) announced on Tuesday that the final stage of the central government's air pollution control plan, known as the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), will persist.
Stringent measures, including a prohibition on construction activities and the entry of pollution-emitting trucks into the national capital, will continue until further directives are issued, PTI reported.
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Due to calm winds and low temperatures in the national capital, there is a favourable condition for the accumulation of pollutants and relief is unlikely over the next few days, said an official at the India Meteorological Department (IMD).
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, on Thursday, quoted the verse from Gurbani to urge farmers from burning stubble burning in farms.
"We are burning our oxygen. The smoke first passes through the lungs of our children and then it goes elsewhere," Mann said at an event here in Ludhiana while referring to stubble burning and bursting of firecrackers.
Mann quoted the verse 'Pawan Guru, Paani Pitaah, Mata Dharat Mahat' from Gurbani and spoke about how the great Sikh Gurus equated air (pawan) with teacher, water (paani) with father and land (dharat) with mother.
Reacting to Delhi LG VK Saxena's criticism of the government on failing to take actions against pollution, AAP said that the Delhi govt has taken a slew of measures over the past several years. These measures have led to a significant improvement in the air quality, and were also appreciated in the Economic Survey 2022-23 tabled in Parliament, said AAP in a statement.
In Punjab, Mogaa recorded the highest number of farm fires cases on Thursday. In Moga, stubble burning incidents stood at 237, followed by 170 in Bathinda, 145 in Barnala, 129 in Sangrur, 113 in Faridkot and 110 in Ludhiana, according to the Punjab Remote Sensing Centre data.
Despite red alert in Punjab, the state reported 1,200 cases of stubble burning on Thursday. On the other hand, air quality indiced turned ‘severe’ and ‘very poor’ in Haryana.
The fresh crop residue burning cases indicated that there was no let up in such cases despite the Punjab Police sounding a red alert in all the districts, warning of legal action against those found burning stubble.
Moreover, flying squads have also been keeping a vigil on stubble burning in the state.
Delhi's 24-hour average Air Quality Index, recorded at 4 pm every day, was at 419 on Thursday. A day ago it was at 401, 397 on Tuesday, 358 on Monday and 218 on Sunday, 220 on Saturday and 279 on Friday.
Delhi's air pollution continued to remain in ‘very poor’ category on Thursday. One of the major contributor of air pollution in the city was vehicular emissions that were 25 per cent of the total air pollution on Thursday, according to the findings from a joint project by the Delhi government and IIT-Kanpur.
In its response to the National Green Tribunal, the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) said that Delhi's 1,483 square kilometres of area would require 47,000 smog towers to control air pollution.
The cost of installation of a single smog tower could reach to ₹25 crore and would require ₹15 lakh monthly for operation and maintenance.
Reduction of pollution by just 17 per cent within a 100-metre radius at a capital cost of ₹25 crore and a recurring cost of ₹10 to 15 lakh per month is "not at all justified. It is not even a drop in the ocean", the DPCC report said.
The two experimental smog towers installed in Delhi, have not been able to reduce the air pollution in the city. Moreover, the costly maintenance of these giant air purifiers lacks merit, the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) has told the National Green Tribunal (NGT).
Delhi's geographical positioning, meteorological conditions, vehicular emissions, industrial and construction activities have contributed in Delhi's air pollution. All these factors accentuate the effect of stubble burning-induced air pollution in the city.
Amid rising air pollution in the national capital, the Delhi government has formed a Special Task Force to enforce regulation and assist in monitoring pollution, environment minister Gopal Rai said on Thursday.
The six-member STF will perform other functions like coordinating with different departments compiling reports to tackle poor AQI. (Read full story)
Special Task Force has been formed to combat with rising air pollution in Delhi, announced environment Minister Gopal Rai on Thursday.
Amid the rising air pollution in the city, Delhi LG, on Thursday, lashed out at the Delhi government for failing to deal with the problem of air pollution in the city.
In his series of posts on X, LG VK Saxena said that instead of focusing on the root cause of problem, the Delhi government was busy in publicising events like ‘Red lights on, Gaadi off’, ‘Odd-even’.
"The real solution to pollution in Delhi lies in Delhi itself," the LG wrote.
Congress MP Manish Tiwari questioned how Punjab can be the leading contributor of pollution in Delhi.
In one of his posts on X, Manish Tiwari said, “If stubble burning in Punjab is the problem why is AQI of Chandigarh at 80 & Delhi at 420 ? Don't tell me the winds from Punjab blow only towards Delhi."
“Look at this map.The city of Barnala is at the epicentre of these Farm Fires . Barnala is a city in Southern Punjab . Guess what the AQI is 221-certainly not as healthy as Patiala that is at 105. The Ariel distance between Patiala & Barnala is 82 Kilometres. The AQI of Southern Punjab where bulk of stubble burning unfortunately occurs is still at least 200-250 less than Delhi at 433," he wrote in another post on X.
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." (PTI)
Major cities across northern states of India have been battling the problem of pollution for the past few weeks with toxic haze blanketing the cities. These polluted cities include Patna, Delhi, Mumbai, Noida, etc.
In the list of the top 10 most polluted cities with the worst air quality as of 6:30 am, two are in Bihar, more than three in Rajasthan, followed by Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, and more.
According to Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data, Patna's air quality slipped into the ‘hazardous’ category as the overall AQI of Bihar’s capital city stood at 587 today morning, while Delhi's AQI was 449 at 6.30 am on Thursday. Read the complete story here.
A thick layer of smog veiled the national capital Delhi on Thursday morning with air quality being recorded in the 'severe' category in several parts of the city
As per the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the air quality at 7 am in Bawana was recorded at 442, RK Puram was 418 in in Jahangirpuri it was 441 in Dwarka it was 416 in Alipur 415, in Anand Vihar at 412, in ITO it was 412 and near the Delhi airport the AQI was recorded at 401. (AQI)
Delhi's air quality fluctuated between the very poor and severe categories on Thursday as unfavourable meteorological conditions hindered the dispersion of pollutants.
Recent findings from a joint project by the Delhi government and IIT-Kanpur found that vehicular emissions accounted for about 38 percent of the capital's air pollution on Wednesday. This is projected to rise to 40 percent on Thursday.
Secondary inorganic aerosols -- particles such as sulfate and nitrate that are formed in the atmosphere due to the interaction of gases and particulate pollutants from sources like power plants, refineries, and vehicles -- is the second major contributor to Delhi's foul air, accounting for 30 to 35 percent of the air pollution in the city over the last few days. (PTI)
Major cities across northern states of India have been battling the problem of pollution for the past few weeks with toxic haze blanketing the cities. These polluted cities include Patna, Delhi, Mumbai, Noida, etc.
In the list of the top 10 most polluted cities with the worst air quality as of 6:30 am, two are in Bihar, more than three in Rajasthan, followed by Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, and more.
According to Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data, Patna's air quality slipped into the ‘hazardous’ category as the overall AQI of Bihar’s capital city stood at 587 today morning, while Delhi's AQI was 449 at 6.30 am on Thursday. Read the complete story here.
Air pollution news: Three Indian cities are included in the list of the world's 10 most polluted cities, according to Swiss group IQAir. Taking the number 1 position, Delhi is the most polluted Indian city and also took the top spot globally. As per IQAir, Delhi's air quality stood at 430. The ban on firecrackers was violated in several areas of Delhi as people celebrated Diwali on Sunday. Several were also seen gathering at the park of the locality for bursting crackers. Read the complete story here.
In a bid to combat air pollution, the Bihar State Pollution Control Board (BSPCB) has decided to initiate legal action against government bodies failing to comply with environmental protection laws.
According to the Central Pollution Control Board's Air Quality Index (AQI) bulletin of 244 cities issued on November 14, Saran (Chhapra) was the most polluted city in the state, with AQI of 386, followed by Bettiah (345) and Patna (324). The AQI of these cities plunged to 'very poor', which causes respiratory illness on prolonged exposure. (PTI)
Delhi's air quality fluctuated between the very poor and severe categories on Thursday as unfavourable meteorological conditions hindered the dispersion of pollutants.
Recent findings from a joint project by the Delhi government and IIT-Kanpur found that vehicular emissions accounted for about 38 percent of the capital's air pollution on Wednesday. This is projected to rise to 40 percent on Thursday.
Secondary inorganic aerosols -- particles such as sulfate and nitrate that are formed in the atmosphere due to the interaction of gases and particulate pollutants from sources like power plants, refineries, and vehicles -- is the second major contributor to Delhi's foul air, accounting for 30 to 35 percent of the air pollution in the city over the last few days. (PTI)
Major cities across northern states of India have been battling the problem of pollution for the past few weeks with toxic haze blanketing the cities. These polluted cities include Patna, Delhi, Mumbai, Noida, etc.
In the list of the top 10 most polluted cities with the worst air quality as of 6:30 am, two are in Bihar, more than three in Rajasthan, followed by Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, and more.
According to Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data, Patna's air quality slipped into the ‘hazardous’ category as the overall AQI of Bihar’s capital city stood at 587 today morning, while Delhi's AQI was 449 at 6.30 am on Thursday.
In Bihar, Bhagalpur became the third most-polluted city in the country with an overall air quality index of 388, followed by 382 in Noida, 348 in Purnea, 338 in Saharsa, 332 in Begusarai, 331 in Gurugram, 328 in Rajgir, and 325 in Rajmahal. Read the complete story here.
A thick layer of smog veiled the national capital Delhi on Thursday morning with air quality being recorded in the 'severe' category in several parts of the city
As per the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the air quality at 7 am in Bawana was recorded at 442, RK Puram was 418 in Jahangirpuri it was 441 in Dwarka it was 416 in Alipur 415, in Anand Vihar at 412, in ITO it was 412 and near the Delhi airport the AQI was recorded at 401.
Visuals from India Gate this morning showed people exercising and working out wearing masks. (ANI)
Union Minister Nitin Gadkari emphasised the steps taken by the Centre to curb stubble burning in neighbouring states of Haryana, Punjab and Uttar Pradesh. He expressed confidence that over time, stubble would cease to be a problem as its value increases, leading to the creation of a robust market for stubble.
Explaining the same, Nitin Gadkari said on Tuesday, "Bitumen, Bio-CNG, LNG is being made from stubble" in these states and that efforts are on to build "a good market for stubble". Read the complete story here.
Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai will on Thursday hold a meeting with departments on the effective implementation of measures outlined in the Centre's air pollution control plan, officials said. The meeting will be held at the Delhi Secretariat at 1 pm, an official said.
Rai had previously reprimanded the departments concerned for their negligence in executing the air pollution control plan and urged them to establish a monitoring mechanism for overseeing the teams responsible for enforcing anti-air pollution measures.
Delhi's air quality fluctuated between the 'very poor' and 'severe' categories on Thursday due to unfavourable meteorological conditions hindering the dispersion of pollutants.
The capital's Air Quality Index stood at 393 at 9 am on Thursday.
Delhi's air quality fluctuated between the very poor and severe categories on Thursday as unfavourable meteorological conditions hindered the dispersion of pollutants.
Recent findings from a joint project by the Delhi government and IIT-Kanpur found that vehicular emissions accounted for about 38 percent of the capital's air pollution on Wednesday. This is projected to rise to 40 percent on Thursday.
Secondary inorganic aerosols -- particles such as sulfate and nitrate that are formed in the atmosphere due to the interaction of gases and particulate pollutants from sources like power plants, refineries, and vehicles -- is the second major contributor to Delhi's foul air, accounting for 30 to 35 percent of the air pollution in the city over the last few days. (PTI)
The Congress' Delhi unit chief Arvinder Singh Lovely on Wednesday held a meeting of the 'shadow cabinet' of former ministers to discuss the pollution issue in the national capital, a party statement said.
Lovely claimed many lives are lost in the wombs due to the pollution but the central and the Delhi governments have not bothered to draw up a roadmap to find a permanent solution to the problem.
Leaders of both these governments are busy campaigning for elections in other states instead of tackling Delhi's woes, Lovely alleged. (PTI)
Amid rising air pollution in Delhi and the rest of North India, a red alert has been sounded in all districts of Punjab to curb rampant stubble burning. Moreover, the burning of crop residue can attract legal action against violators, a senior official told PTI.
The Supreme Court's sharp reaction to air pollution in Delhi, and the rest of North India, has forced the Punjab government to take strict measures against stubble burning. However, the actions have increased the challenges for Punjab farmers. Unhappy with the punitive action on stubble burning, multiple farmer unions of Punjab announced to protest on November 20 in the state, reported Indian Express. Read the complete story here.
In a bid to combat air pollution, the Bihar State Pollution Control Board (BSPCB) has decided to initiate legal action against government bodies failing to comply with environment protection laws.
According to the Central Pollution Control Board's Air Quality Index (AQI) bulletin of 244 cities issued on November 14, Saran (Chhapra) was the most polluted city in the state, with AQI of 386, followed by Bettiah (345) and Patna (324). The AQI of these cities plunged to 'very poor', which causes respiratory illness on prolonged exposure. (PTI)
Major cities across northern states of India have been battling the problem of pollution for the past few weeks with toxic haze blanketing the cities. These polluted cities include Patna, Delhi, Mumbai, Noida, etc.
In the list of the top 10 most polluted cities with the worst air quality as of 6:30 am, two are in Bihar, more than three in Rajasthan, followed by Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, and more.
According to Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data, Patna's air quality slipped into the ‘hazardous’ category as the overall AQI of Bihar’s capital city stood at 587 today morning, while Delhi's AQI was 449 at 6.30 am on Thursday. Read the complete story here.
Union Minister Nitin Gadkari emphasised the steps taken by the Centre to curb stubble burning in neighbouring states of Haryana, Punjab and Uttar Pradesh. He expressed confidence that over time, stubble would cease to be a problem as its value increases, leading to the creation of a robust market for stubble.
Explaining the same, Nitin Gadkari said on Tuesday, "Bitumen, Bio-CNG, LNG is being made from stubble" in these states and that efforts are on to build "a good market for stubble".
Smoke from stubble burning, or the burning of crop residue, in states like Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan, is one of the major contributors to the air pollution in Delhi. Taking note of the seriousness of the issue, the Supreme Court had instructed farmers in these states and state governments to immediately cease stubble burning. Read the complete story here.
The Delhi government is likely to impose a complete ban on passenger buses except those running on CNG, electricity and BS-VI diesel from entering the national capital in view of the pollution situation.
Restrictions under GRAP Stage IV are currently in place in Delhi amid plummeting air quality in the national capital. (PTI)
