air pollution

Complete bans firecrackers to combat severe air pollution

NEW DELHI: In a decisive move to tackle the alarming air pollution levels in the national capital, the Delhi government has announced a complete ban on the production, storage, sale, and use of firecrackers in the Delhi-NCR region. This comprehensive ban, effective immediately, aims to address the severe environmental and public health challenges posed by […]

SC withdraws GRAP Stage 4 measures as Delhi’s AQI improves

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court has announced the withdrawal of emergency measures under Stage 4 of the GRAP due to the improvement in Delhi’s AQI. The decision came after a noticeable downward trend in AQI levels was observed. The court was addressing measures to curb air pollution in Delhi-NCR areas when it made this statement.   […]

CAQM relaxes GRAP IV for educational institutions, boosts hybrid learning

NEW DELHI: The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) in NCR and Adjoining Areas has relaxed the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) IV norms for all educational institutions, including colleges, in response to the ongoing pollution crisis in Delhi. Announced on Monday, this move allows the option of online education wherever feasible, putting the choice in […]

30 years is too late: Fast-tracking India’s energy transition

India stands at a critical juncture in its energy journey. With coal accounting for 55% of the country’s commercial energy requirements and coal-based thermal power plants producing over 70% of electricity, the nation’s reliance on this fossil fuel is deeply entrenched. However, the environmental and health costs of this dependence are becoming increasingly untenable. The […]

AAP’s Gopal Rai accuses BJP of allowing crackers amid Delhi’s ‘severe’ pollution

NEW DELHI: On Tuesday, Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai attributed the ‘severe’ air quality index in the national capital to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). He asserted that leaders from the party were encouraging the bursting of crackers, despite the Supreme Court’s prohibition. Rai highlighted that the police forces in Delhi, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh […]

EXCLUSIVE | Israel-Palestine struggling in the clutches of unseen environmental crisis: NWF VP

NEW DELHI: It has been more than a month since the conflict between Israel and Hamas erupted. Israel has conducted intense airstrikes in the Gaza Strip, resulting in the loss of several thousand lives. The objective is to eliminate Hamas militants who executed bold attacks on October 7, leading to civilian casualties and numerous hostages. […]

Environmentalists question Delhi’s ineffective pollution control as AQI drops

KOLKATA: Environmental activists questioned the “poor” implementation of Supreme Court orders to stop stubble burning, as Delhi’s air quality plummets beyond “stable categories”, on Friday.  While speaking with The New Indian, activist and co-founder of the Warrior Moms initiative, Bhavreen Kandhari said, “The SC’s order to stop stubble burning is encouraging and it feels good […]

RML Hospital opens OPD dedicated to Delhi’s air pollution

NEW DELHI: With Delhi’s pollution breaching ever-hazardous records of reaching the 999 mark at a certain place in the national capital, the Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital introduced ‘pollution’ Outpatient Department dedicated to helping patients with pollution-related health problems, on Wednesday.  While speaking with The New Indian Dr Ajay Shukla, Medical Superintendent at the hospital, said, […]

Delhi govt reconsiders odd-even scheme amid severe air pollution

Delhi government intends to thoroughly assess the recent Supreme Court order before implementing the odd-even traffic rule

Firecrackers ban: Balancing environmental concerns

The Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) has imposed a comprehensive ban on the use of firecrackers, including the use of “green crackers,” until January 1, 2024. This ban has been introduced more than a month ahead of the Diwali festival, which is scheduled to occur on November 12, 2023. To ensure strict enforcement of the […]