Delhi Pollution HIGHLIGHTS: GRAP Stage 4 Invoked, Work-From-Home For 50% Staff In Govt, Private Offices
Delhi Air Pollution News HIGHLIGHTS: Hello and welcome to ABP Live Delhi Pollution Live Blog. Follow this space for all the latest developments on Delhi pollution.
Entry of polluting trucks, commercial four-wheelers banned in Delhi. Only CNG, electric, BS VI vehicles from other states allowed entry: Order
Work from home directions issued for 50 per cent staff in government, private offices amid worsening air quality in Delhi: Order
Fire Services joined hands with the Delhi Government in curbing pollution. Fire tenders sprinkle water in the Hotspot areas of the national capital.
The air quality in Delhi is in the 'Severe' category as per the Central Pollution Control Board.
Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai said less stubble has been burnt in Punjab this year as compared to last year and the smoke from stubble burning is reaching Delhi from Haryana and Uttar Pradesh instead of Punjab.
"Central government figures show that less stubble has been burnt in Punjab this year in comparison to last year. Punjab's stubble smoke does not have as much impact on Delhi as that of Haryana and Uttar Pradesh," he said.
"This is because there is no movement in the wind. Only if the wind blows, the smoke of Punjab will reach Delhi. Right now there is smoke all around Delhi. The smoke of stubble from Haryana and Uttar Pradesh is reaching Delhi," he added.
Anti-smog guns sprinkle water near the NDMC Civic Centre area in a efforts to lower pollution in the national capital.
Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai said the focus is presently on prohibiting the construction work and vehicles entering inside Delhi, causing pollution, implement ban on BS3 petrol & BS4 diesel vehicles, control garbage and biomass burning.
He urged people to use public transport.
"For the area around NCR, we requested Union Environment Minister yesterday that the rules of GRAP should be implemented strictly. Even, the orders that CAQM is giving, for diesel buses are not being followed," Rai said.
Our effort is to strictly implement these rules within Delhi and within NCR, in collaboration with the Central Government, since BJP is in power in UP and Haryana. We are trying to ensure that they also focus on implementing this..." the minister added.
A thick layer of haze was seen over the Yamuna river which is already infected with pollutants and frothing.
Primary schools in Delhi will remain closed till November 10 due to the increased pollution in the city, says minister Atishi. For grade 6-12, schools are being given the option of shifting to online classes, she adds.
The air quality in the national capital continued to remain in the "severe" category. Visuals from the Delhi-Meerut Expressway show a layer of fog over the skies.
The air quality in the national capital continued to remain in the "severe" category. Visuals from the Delhi-Meerut Expressway show a layer of fog over the skies.
According to the data published by the Central Pollution Control Board, as on Sunday 7 am following AQIs were recorded in various cities of the country:
Ahmedabad - 173
Bengaluru - 44
Chennai - 46
Hyderabad - 85
Delhi - 460
Jaipur - 273
Mumbai -184
Patna - 230
Lucknow - 244
Pune - 179
A visible layer of haze was visible over Delhi skies as air quality remained in poor quality with AQI logged in at 460 as per data by the Central Pollution Control Board.
A layer of visible haze engulfs Mumbai on Sunday morning as the AQI reached 184.
A resident from Delhi's Lodhi Garden on his morning walk said, "The situation of pollution is extremely poor. It is difficult to breathe these days. Several people used to come to Lodhi Garden earlier, but now only 10% of people are coming here. Pollution is at its maximum this year..."
A man on his morning walk in Delhi's Lodhi Garden said, "The situation of pollution is such that we are experiencing a burning sensation in our eyes. The situation was better earlier, but now it is getting worse.."
The air quality predicament in Delhi persists with the city remaining ensnared in the 'Severe' category, according to the latest assessment by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).
ANI drone camera visuals depict a thick and foreboding layer of haze enveloping the city.
Delhi's ongoing battle with air pollution is not sparing its avian inhabitants, warns Veterinarian Haravtar Singh. Drawing parallels between the impact of pollution on humans and birds, Singh highlights the distressing situation faced by our feathered friends.
The Sri Lankan cricket team participating in the Cricket World Cup 2023 was forced to cancel their training session today as Delhi's air quality plummeted to 'severe' levels. (PTI Input)
In a scathing critique of the Delhi government's response to the escalating air pollution crisis, Delhi Congress President Arvinder Singh Lovely has emphasized the need for long-term, sustainable solutions. While acknowledging the importance of temporary measures during critical situations, Lovely expressed his frustration, stating, "Why don't you work for permanent solutions?"
Delhi Environment Minister has urged the Centre to convene an emergency meeting of all NCR states to combat air pollution, as reported by the news agency PTI.
"In the last couple of days, Delhi witnessed a rapid rise in the pollution level. However, a marginal downfall has been recorded today. AQI was recorded at 407 at 10.30 am, it was over 450 yesterday," says Delhi minister Gopal Rai, as quoted by PTI.
ANI drone camera footage from Azadpur to Shalimar shows haze that continues to linger in the air. Visuals shot at 10 am today. The air quality in Delhi continues to be in the 'Severe' category as per CPCB (Central Pollution Control Board).
The residents in Delhi seem to get no respite in the near future as the air quality in the national capital continues to remain in the "severe" category. The overall AQI in the city is 407, as per the CPCB data.
The AAP has taken a dig at the BJP and Congress saying that no government was worried about the pollution problem in Delhi-NCR. "there is an educated government in Delhi which regularly monitors (the air pollution level). There are 40 AQI monitors in 1,400 sq km area of Delhi that help us in identifying the problem. Similarly, there is a 50 to 67 per cent reduction in stubble pollution in Punjab under our rule. However, no other government is worried about this issue," says AAP spokesperson Priyanka Kakkar.
The latest visuals from the Vasant Kunj area show haze in the air as air quality in the city continues to be in the 'Severe' category. Visuals were shot at 8:30 a.m.
The overall air quality in Delhi continued to remain in the 'severe' category for the third straight day on Saturday morning, as per the SAFAR-India. According to the System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research (SAFAR)-India, the overall air quality in the national capital Delhi (Overall) is in the 'severe' category with Air Quality Index (AQI) of 504, as per ANI.
On stubble burning in Moga, Jaswinder Singh Brar, Agriculture department officer says, "There were 485 incidents of fire last year and this year 321 incidents have come to light...Teams of administration and agriculture departments have been formed. Action is being taken...Fire brigade deployed in every tehsil"
A man in Noida, Abhay Kumar says, "Pollution level has increased. It feels like getting choked...The air feels heavy."
Visuals from Noida as Air quality continues to deteriorate. In Noida Sector-116 AQI stands at 426 and in Noida Sector 62 at 428 as per the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).
The latest ANI drone camera footage from the ITO area shows a layer of haze in the air. Visuals shot at 7:30 am today. The air quality in Delhi continues to be in 'Severe' category as per CPCB (Central Pollution Control Board).
Morning visuals from Anand Vihar as the AQI in the area stands at 448, in the 'Severe' category as per the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).
Delhi Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena held a meeting to discuss interim measures, such as urging neighbouring states, especially Punjab, to control paddy stubble burning. They are also advising people to remain indoors, employ public transport if necessary, and optimize the use of road sweepers, water sprinklers, and anti-smog guns.
The meeting emphasised the need for a long-term permanent plan of action, which will be earnestly implemented once the current air quality emergency is resolved.
The MCD has constituted 517 surveillance teams consisting of 1,119 officers to keep a check on open burning, illegal construction and demolition waste dumping and dust on roads under its winter action plan, an official statement on Friday said. The Zonal Officers have been directed to strictly implement the revised GRAP guidelines issued by the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM), it said. (PTI)
After meeting with Delhi LG VK Saxena, on the issue of rising air pollution in the City, Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai says, "We had detailed talks to ensure that the measures taken to control pollution are implemented strictly. We also discussed about the officials who missed the previous meetings and requested that the senior officials join the meeting, cooperate and work actively..." (ANI)
Curbs under Stage III of the pollution control plan implemented only day ago; allow time for full impact on AQI in Delhi-NCR. Will monitor situation for a day or more before implementing stricter measures under air pollution control plan in Delhi-NCR: Centre's panel (PTI)
On the Air pollution situation, National Green Tribunal (NGT) says, "A serious condition is reflected in various cities in Air Quality Bulletins. Hence, immediate action is required for prevention and control of the air pollution in these cities so as to ensure better air quality to the residents."
NGT seeks a response from Chief Secretaries of the States where the cities AQI has dipped to severe, very poor and poor, directing them to take immediate remedial action and submit action taken report before the Tribunal. (ANI)
"The pollution in Delhi is threatening to common people, but if there is someone more threatening than that, it's Arvind Kejriwal. He is threatening because his motive is to do cheap politics...The pollution in the air is the result of Arvind Kejriwal's lack of efforts," BJP leader Gaurav Bhatia says, as per ANI.
"The Haryana government had said that stubble burning will be stopped completely in the state. However, their claims have failed totally. They have wasted crores on this. Farmers of Haryana are compelled to burn stubble because the state government is not giving any subsidy on stubble (parali)," says AAP Haryana president Dr Sushil Gupta. (PTI)
The air quality in Delhi is in the 'Severe' category today as per the Central Pollution Control Board. (ANI)
"The situation arising out of air pollution in the City is extremely worrying. I have asked CM & Minister (Environment) for a meeting at Raj Niwas at 06:00 PM today, to take stock of the situation. I appeal to the people to remain indoors as much as possible and to not expose themselves- especially children & elderly to hazardous ambient conditions wherein AQI has reportedly crossed 800 at places...": Delhi LG VK Saxena posts on X.
"Delhi government should have taken measures to control air pollution 15 days ago. Infrastructure projects are delayed while the public transport system has collapsed leading to a rise in the usage of private vehicles in the city contributing to air pollution" says Delhi Congress chief Arvinder S. Lovely
"People of Delhi are bearing the consequences of insensitivity of CM Arvind Kejriwal as the city has turned into a gas chamber. Unfortunately, CM Kejriwal is busy in political tourism," says Delhi BJP chief Virendraa Sachdeva (PTI)
Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai said, "The decision on the further closure of schools in Delhi will be taken on the basis of air quality on 6th November, Monday," as quoted by ANI.
As per SAFAR, AQI in the national capital stood at 492.
The Latest ANI drone camera footage from Narela, shot at 12.20 p.m. today, shows the city shrouded in a thick blanket of haze. The air quality in Delhi is in 'Severe' category today as per CPCB (Central Pollution Control Board).
Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai chairs a review meeting with all concerned departments at the Delhi Secretariat, on the issue of rising air pollution levels and strict implementation of GRAP-3 measures.
Air pollution in Delhi | If any BS-Ill Petrol and BS-IV, Diesel LMV (4 Wheeler) is found plying on roads will be prosecuted under Section 194(1) of Motor Vehicle Act, 1988, which provides a fine of Rs 20,000: Delhi Government.
Delhi's air quality plummeted to the "severe plus" category on Friday morning, a stage at which all emergency measures, including a ban on polluting trucks, commercial four-wheelers, and all types of construction, are mandated to be initiated and enforced in the National Capital Region, as reported by the news agency PTI.
Delhi continues to remain shrouded in a layer of haze as the air quality in the city further slips into 'Severe' category.
Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai says, "We are continuously working on policies. Last year, 13–14 hotspots were identified where there was a continuous increase in pollution... Now their numbers are 4 to 5... In the whole of North India, there is this kind of situation of AQI... The next 15 days are very critical for Delhi. The speed of the wind is low, and the temperature is going down... Seeing this, the GRAP 3 rules have been implemented. We have called the meeting of all the concerned departments at 12 p.m. today. We are seeing that, though rules and policies are being made and directed, their implementation is not strict. This is a challenge..."
On air pollution in Delhi, BJP leader Shehzad Poonawalla says, "...Delhi has become a gas chamber under Arvind Kejriwal... He has ensured that AQI levels are at their highest in the last four to five years. He has done nothing to tackle pollution; he used to blame stubble burning in Punjab. Now you have a government in Punjab... But incidences of stubble burning have increased in Punjab...His government will blame the centre, Uttar Pradesh, and Haryana... People of Delhi today, if they breathe this air, it is hazardous..."
On air pollution in Delhi, Dr. Sandeep Nayar, Principal Director, Chest and Respiratory Diseases, BLK-Max Super Speciality Hospital, says, "...This is a dangerous level. This is a gas chamber. If you go out, there is irritation in the eyes and pain in the throat of everyone. Our OPD has shot up 20–30 percent. When the poisonous air goes into the body, it will affect every organ...We will have to go out to work. For this, cover yourself and wear masks...Take a healthy diet and hydrate yourself..."
The latest ANI drone camera footage from Signature Bridge in Delhi shows the city shrouded in a thick blanket of haze. The air quality in Delhi is in the 'Severe' category today as per CPCB (Central Pollution Control Board).
Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai says, "First of all, it is wrong to think that the Delhi Government can control pollution completely because the matter of pollution is not of Delhi alone...Sources outside Delhi cause twice the pollution here than the sources within Delhi. So, the Delhi Government is working on a war-footing. It is a result of the efforts of CM Arvind Kejriwal that as per the report of the Central Government, Delhi experienced more than 200 days of good air quality. But the task remains. The 10-15 days after 1st November weather changes take place. We will focus more to control the situation."
Amid the rising pollution in the national capital, the Delhi Environment Minister has called an emergency meeting at 12 PM.
A senior paediatrician from Sir Ganga Ram Hospital said, "Pollution is going to impact more the pediatric age group than adults... Once you are exposed in pregnancy, there are very high chance that an unborn newborn will be allergic later on. In infancy, remodelling happens in the lungs and other areas. It impacts their lives... Nowadays every road is like a smoking zone. It not only affects patients who are allergic or have asthma but also normal people...Try to avoid going out early in the morning or late in the evening because the pollution level at that time is very high. At most, you can wear an N95 mask... We can take some measures so that we don't contribute to this pollution..."
Air quality in Delhi-NCR plummets to 'severe' category. Visuals from Ghaziabad, UP.
Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) has deployed sprinklers as a measure against the rise in Air Quality Index (AQI) in the city.
In view of the implementation of the GRAP-III stage to combat pollution in Delhi, Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) will be adding 20 extra trips across its network starting tomorrow. The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) invoked the third stage of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) on Thursday in the National capital.
A thick layer of smog engulfs Delhi as Air Quality dips into the 'Severe' category.
Air quality across Delhi deteriorated to the Severe category as per the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). AQI in Lodhi Road area at 438, in Jahangirpuri at 491, in RK Puram area at 486 and around IGI Airport (T3) 473.
As the smog engulfs the national capital amid the rise in air pollution, visibility drops to 10 km.
Background
Delhi Pollution News HIGHLIGHTS: Hello and welcome to ABP Live Delhi Pollution Live Blog. Follow this space for all the latest developments on Delhi pollution.
Delhi-NCR's air quality neared the emergency threshold on Thursday, prompting an immediate ban on non-essential construction work and the closure of primary schools in the capital, as authorities acted swiftly to address the health-threatening pollution.
As a dense and pungent haze blanketed the skyline of Delhi-NCR, the concentration of PM2.5, fine particulate matter that can penetrate deep into the respiratory system and trigger health problems, exceeded the safe limit of 60 micrograms per cubic metre by a seven to eightfold at multiple locations throughout the region.
Alarmed by the spike in air pollution levels, the Centre's pollution control panel ordered an immediate ban on non-essential construction work, stone crushing and mining in the region. Restrictions have also been imposed on plying of BS III petrol and BS IV diesel four-wheelers in Delhi, Gurugram, Faridabad, Ghaziabad and Gautam Budh Nagar.
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal announced that all government and private primary schools in the city will remain closed for the next two days in view of rising pollution levels. Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai has called an emergency meeting on Friday to review the situation.
The Centre's action comes as part of Stage III of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) -- the Centre's air pollution control plan which is implemented in the region during the winter season. GRAP categorises actions into four stages: Stage I - 'poor' (AQI 201-300); Stage II - 'very poor' (AQI 301-400); Stage III - 'severe' (AQI 401-450); and Stage IV - 'severe plus' (AQI above 450).
The city's AQI plunged to 422 at 10 pm, the worst this season so far. The 24-hour average AQI was 364 on Wednesday, 359 on Tuesday, 347 on Monday, 325 on Sunday, 304 on Saturday, and 261 on Friday. Not just Delhi, several cities in neighbouring Haryana, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh also reported hazardous air.
These included Hanumangarh (438) and Sri Ganganagar (359) in Rajasthan; Hisar (414), Fatehabad (423), Jind (413), Rohtak (388), Sonepat (374), Kurukshetra (343), Karnal (343), Kaithal (379), Bhiwani (355), Faridabad (368) and Gurugram (297) in Haryana; and Ghaziabad (286), Noida (313) and Greater Noida (402) in Uttar Pradesh.
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', and 401 and 500 'severe'.
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