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All can, no able: Water suppliers, officials defy health safety

Countless vendors deliver water cans to homes, offices, and even government buildings in the state capital. From private employees to cabinet ministers, these cans reach every doorstep. Yet the question of purity remains largely ignored. Many suppliers claim to hold valid trade licences, and some display FSSAI (Food Safety and Standards Authority of India) stickers. Still, serious doubts persist about the legitimacy and oversight of such claims. Food Inspector Debendra Dubey says: “Section 26(2) of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 does not categorise water cans as food items, so we lack the jurisdiction to regulate these suppliers.” But a closer reading of the Act reveals a contradiction. Chapter 1 defines food as any substance, whether processed, partially processed or unprocessed, that is intended for human consumption. This clearly opens the door to interpret drinking water as a substance that should fall under regulatory scrutiny. Adding to the concerns is the fact that dozens of these water suppliers operate from Old City localities along Betasia Road, where the quality of water has remained suspect since the 1984 Gas Disaster. A 2018 report by the CSIR–Indian Institute of Toxicology Research confirmed contamination near the Union Carbide factory site. Similar findings were documented in 1999 by Greenpeace, in 2009 by the Centre for Science and Environment, in 2018 by the Indian Institute of Toxicology Research, and in 2019 by the Sambhavna Trust Clinic. All concluded the groundwater near the Carbide plant remains unsafe. After the gas tragedy, the government had even sealed off a one-kilometre radius due to dangerous levels of contamination. More recently, the District Legal Services Authority (DLSA) collected water samples from 42 locations across 19 residential colonies. The findings were alarming. Contamination was detected in several areas, including densely populated and vulnerable neighbourhoods. Despite these repeated warnings, water can suppliers continue to operate freely in many of these places, selling cans at Rs 30 to Rs 40 — while residents remain unaware of what exactly they’re consuming. Repeated efforts to contact the FSSAI Commissioner and the Nodal Officer proved futile, as neither of the two was available for comment.

India drafts emissions targets for industry

The Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MoEFCC) has released a draft notification setting emissions intensity targets for high-emitters, a step towards finalising the country’s first compliance-based carbon market, expected to launch in 2026. The emissions intensity targets are part of a cap-and-trade system that aims to drive down greenhouse gas emissions by limiting the total emissions entering the atmosphere. The notification makes it mandatory for industrial units listed to meet reduced emissions targets. Units that reduce emissions beyond the given target can generate credits and sell them in the carbon market. Units that struggle to meet their targets can purchase these credits to meet their goals. If industries fail to meet their targets, however, a fine in the form of environmental compensation will be levied by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the draft notification states. As it stands, 282 industrial units are obligated to meet these new targets, spanning the aluminium, cement, chlor-alkali, and pulp and paper sectors. The cement sector – which accounts for 5.8% of India’s carbon emissions – has the most industries with targets (186). The government also plans on including the fertiliser, iron, steel, petrochemicals and petroleum refinery sectors at a later stage. Conspicuously missing from the list of obligated industries is the power sector, India’s biggest emitter, responsible for 39.2% of carbon emissions. “There is a feeling that the power sector should be excluded because it’s a complex sector that is heavily regulated, and imposing targets on it could escalate costs for distributors and even consumers,” said Vaibhav Chaturvedi, Senior Fellow at the Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW). “But this logic doesn’t hold because the power sector is already following other compliances, like obligatorily purchasing renewable energy, without such drastic impacts. Power sector inclusion should come sooner rather than later.” Calculating baseline emissions for industries The draft notification, published on April 16, states two objectives: To help attain India’s climate targets (Nationally Determined Contributions) by removal, reduction, or avoidance of greenhouse gases; and to promote the adoption of sustainable, “cutting-edge” technologies across traditionally high-emission industries. It covers two greenhouse gases: carbon dioxide and perfluorocarbons or PFCs (used in industrial processes like producing semiconductors). In August 2022, the Indian government pledged to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions intensity by 45% by 2030, compared to 2005 levels. Emissions intensity refers to carbon dioxide emitted per unit of economic output or activity. India has also pledged to reach net-zero emissions by 2070 and is rapidly scaling up renewable sources. “An intensity-based baseline-and-credit system is particularly suited to economies like India, which are still growing and where absolute emissions may continue to rise in the short term. This system rewards improvements in efficiency rather than penalising growth, making it more equitable for developing countries,” explained Hisham Mundol, India’s chief advisor to the Environmental Defense Fund. The draft notification has created, for the first time, baseline emissions for each industrial unit covered, with targets set over two compliance years (2025-2026 and 2026-2027). The Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE), the body administering the upcoming market, said the baseline covers emissions from energy use as well as emissions from processes and indirect emissions. The baseline was calculated by identifying “all possible GHG emission sources and source streams resulting in emissions within the boundary of obligated entities.” The two-year compliance period is a very short window for investors to make decisions, said Chaturvedi. “Investors need stability when making decisions, and a longer-term compliance period will allow for more stability and time. Seeking approvals and clearances for new processes is always time consuming,” said Chaturvedi. In keeping the power sector out, gains from the carbon market could be diminished, a report by the Centre for Science and Environment says. “The Indian carbon market, even if it covers all the industries in the country by 2030, will be covering only 20 to 22 percent of the country’s emissions,” the report says, adding, “Currently, only a few sectors are being considered in the initial cycles, which would cover close to 10 per cent of national GHG emissions. Excluding the power sector, significantly reduces the covered emissions and the possible reductions from them would be marginal.” Progress on the voluntary market Apart from the compliance market, which makes it obligatory for industrial units to meet targets, the BEE is also administering a national voluntary market, in which entities can freely participate by buying and selling carbon credits. As part of this, the BEE has approved eight offset mechanisms, including afforestation projects, green hydrogen production, improving energy efficiency, as well as more technically complex procedures like extracting methane from landfills, livestock, and households. “Additionality is non-negotiable. A credit must reflect a genuine reduction in emissions that wouldn’t have occurred in a business-as-usual scenario,” said Manish Dabkara, Chairman and Managing Director, EKI Energy Services and President of the Carbon Markets Association of India. “The value of a credit hinges on how accurately the baseline or the “what would have happened otherwise” scenario is established. This involves rigorous methodology, often using standardised tools and conservative assumptions to avoid overestimation. The more robust and transparent this process, the more confidence buyers can have in the credit’s environmental impact,” he said. Several of these offset mechanisms have been borrowed from the erstwhile Clean Development Mechanism – a global carbon market set up under the Kyoto Protocol, which was phased out in 2024. India was among the world’s largest suppliers of credits under the CDR. However, some projects under it were found to be inflating their true credit value. “Unlike earlier models, the current offset mechanism places a far greater emphasis on environmental integrity, robust governance, and alignment with national climate goals. The project approval and credit issuance process is far more stringent. The mechanism mandates validation and verification by accredited third-party agencies (such as Academy of Certified Valuators and Analysts or ACVAs) and includes multiple layers of review from subject matter experts to a dedicated Technical Committee, and finally the NSCICM (National Steering Committee for Indian Carbon Market). This structured and transparent process helps prevent the kind of arbitrary or unchecked credit issuance seen in the past,” said Dabkara.

...Average April AQIin capital worst since 2022

New Delhi: Apart from high temperatures, Delhiites experienced the most polluted April in three years. The average Air Quality Index in April was 213 against 182 last year and 180 in 2023. April 2022 with average AQI of 255 last exceeded this year's mark. There were 20 'poor' air days this April compared with 13 in 2024 and 2023. However, April 2022 had seen 29 ʻpoor' days and one ʻvery poor' day. So far this month, there have been nine 'moderate' air days and 20 'poor' days, with a streak of ve consecutive ʻpoor' days from April 6 to 10. Rain and winds on the evening of April 10 improved the air quality. The city is seeing another ʻpoor' streak of nine days since April 21. There has been no ʻgood' or ʻsatisfactory' air day this April. Ozone and dust were among the main sources of pollution in April, with ozone and PM10 remaining the lead pollutants on most days. An ocial said the month was mostly dry, so there was no rain to wash out the pollutants. Dipankar Saha, former head of Central Pollution Control Board's air laboratory, who analysed the AQI data of April from 2016 to 2025, said the overall air quality in the month was between ʻmoderate' and ʻpoor' Anumita Roychowdhury, executive director, research and advocacy, Centre for Science and Environment, had earlier said that the pollution was the result of the intensication of summer conditions. "This necessitates upscaled and stringent implementation of priority measures to control pollution generated by vehicles, transport, waste and households. Ensuring on-ground change is critical for clean air, " said Roychowdhury. Stage I of Graded Response Action Plan for ʻpoor' air has been in force since April 2. The measures under Stage I are preventative and focus on the enforcement of existing curb guidelines. According to the Air Quality Early Warning System, the forecasting body under the Union ministry of earth sciences, the air quality of the city is likely to stay in the ʻmoderate' from April 30 to May 2.

From waste to resource: Can urban India turn the tide on its water crisis?

As taps run dry, experts push for reuse, recharge, and a radical rethink of how cities manage water India ranks among the most water-stressed countries. According to the 2023 Aqueduct Water Risk Atlas released by the World Resources Institute (WRI), India stands 24th out of 25 nations facing “extremely high” water stress. According to the report, this means the country is using at least 80% of its available supply. Rapid urbanisation is worsening the crisis. Between 2013 and 2023, India’s urban population grew from 32% to 36.36%. In 2024, metro cities—home to over 11.73 crore people—accounted for more than 8% of the national population. Pressure on water resources is mounting at multiple levels. India recently suspended the Indus Waters Treaty with Pakistan, a landmark agreement signed in 1960 to govern the sharing of river waters. The move comes amid broader tensions, following a terror attack in Kashmir, which took the lives of 26 people, including tourists. It reflects how water scarcity is no longer just a domestic governance challenge, but an increasingly strategic and geopolitical concern. At home, Indian cities and towns are growing at an unsustainable pace, their water sources are running dry. From shrinking rivers and rapidly falling groundwater to unequal access and rising pollution, the urban water crisis is deepening. Poor planning, unchecked construction, climate impacts, and outdated infrastructure are all making matters worse. Experts say the way forward lies in smarter use of local resources and treating wastewater as a valuable asset. Can India’s cities act in time to secure their water future? Groundwater realities A 2018 report by India’s apex think-tank and Niti Aayog predicted that 21 Indian cities — including Delhi, Bangalore, Hyderabad and Chennai — will run out of ground water by 2020. While that hasn’t happened yet, the crisis looms large. The cities are extracting water at unsustainable rates,” says Dipankar Saha, former member of Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) and currently Chair Professor with Manav Rachna International Institute of Research and Studies (MRIIRS). Saha explains that almost 70% of India’s geography is hard rock which has low permeability, therefore the water is not easy to recharge. He says, “In hard rock areas, there is less potential to recharge the source, the groundwater level is falling rapidly but the rate of extraction remains the same or going up.” Saha gives an example of Faridabad city, which is adjacent to Delhi and running out of groundwater. “Even though the city is at the banks of river Yamuna, the dependence is entirely on groundwater. Since there is no recharge commensurate with the heavy rate of extraction the water table has fallen sharply.,” he adds. Day zero cities and dying rivers In 2019, Chennai nearly ran dry. Officials had to declare a “Day Zero” situation in the city when its four main reservoirs almost ran out of water. Queues, chaos, and emergency water tankers ensued. Researchers attributed the problem to poor planning and destruction of water bodies in India’s sixth-largest city with an estimated population of more than 10 million. But Chennai is just one example. The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) listed 100 cities who will face ‘grave water risk’ in 2050. Among them there were 30 Indian cities, including Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Bengaluru, Lucknow and Bhopal. This would be driven by a dramatic rise in the population percentage from 17% in 2020 to 51% in 2050, the report states. Even hill stations aren’t spared. In 2018, Shimla’s taps ran dry leading to protests by the local population. “In the past two decades, snowfall has reduced. Earlier, we had several feet high snow in these hills between December and March. Now it is hardly a foot high and that too for a few days in the whole year. We have dry winters and less rainfall. There are other problems as well such as unregulated construction and poor waste management, which has killed the aquifers,” says Sanjay Chauhan, a businessman and former mayor of Shimla municipal corporation. Shimla requires around 45 million litres water per day (MLD) during peak tourist season. But it hardly gets around 30 MLD per day. The story is similar in other hill stations as well such as Nainital, Mussoorie, Kullu, Ooty and Kodaikanal. “Cities like Chennai, Shimla, and Nainital are warning signs of what uncontrolled demand and environmental carelessness might do. For instance, increased built-up areas and widespread concretisation—along with the filling of ponds and construction that ignores natural water channels—have contributed to more frequent and severe urban flooding,” says Paramita Dey, senior faculty at National Institute of Urban Affairs, New Delhi. Vanishing rivers, uneven rain Across India, rivers, too, are vanishing outside monsoon windows. An analysis by the Central Water Commission (CWC) last year found there was “no water left in the rivers between Mahanadi and Pennar basins that flow through Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Odisha.” “As a result of climate change, a lot of rain falls in a very short span of time. This means the number of rainy days are less. If you check the data of the past few years, you will find the same big cities, be it Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Lucknow or any other city, are facing droughts and floods in the same year,” says Sushmita Sengupta, Senior Programme Manager of Water Programme with the Center for Science and Environment (CSE). The Ganga basin is another example. It has seen the lowest snow persistence in 23 years, threatening cities downstream. This water shortage in the river basins gravely affects the socio-economic conditions, livelihoods and agricultural activity of the regions dependent on the rivers. Not to mention the health of the rivers. “A river’s health depends largely on how quickly rainwater flows into it from its catchment area. The slower the flow, the better the river’s condition; rapid runoff, on the other hand, leads to poor river health. Forests, wetlands, local water bodies, and carbon-rich agricultural fields help absorb and gradually release rainwater, supporting year-round river flow and protecting against both floods and droughts,” says Himanshu Thakkar, Coordinator of South Asia Network on Dams, Rivers and People (SANDRP). Unequal and unreliable access This widening gap is not just about scarcity—it’s also about inequality. India’s per capita water availability, according to government data, is declining—from 1,816 cubic metres in 2001 to a projected 1,367 cubic metres by 2031. Urban benchmarks by the government set supply at 135 litres per person daily, but access varies wildly. While some city dwellers enjoy 24/7 piped supply, others—especially in slums—live with chronic shortages. Big cities also often draw water from far-off regions, depriving locals. This writer documented the water problem in Rajasthan where people ran “No Water, No Vote” campaign during assembly polls in 2018. Thakkar says there’s no real policy for urban water management. Instead of optimally using local sources like rainwater, ponds, or rivers, cities rely on long-distance transfers, according to him. “We have smart city projects, but there is no definition of a water-smart city. The city should be able to manage and use its local water resources optimally.” Thakkar recalled that during his time on the working group for the 12th Five Year Plan (2012–17), it was recommended that cities should only be allowed to draw water from external sources if they could first demonstrate optimal use of all local water resources. Pollution: The other crisis Even if water is available, it is often unsafe. Despite India having 4% of the world’s total freshwater resources, its quality is very poor. The country ranked 122 out of 124 countries on the World Water Quality Index in 2024. The Niti Aayog report also acknowledges the poor quality of water across India. Industrial effluents, untreated sewage, and poor waste disposal have left shallow aquifers toxic and rivers choking with contaminants like cadmium, lead, and arsenic. “The major issue in urban areas is that there are many legal and illegal industrial units running. Besides polluting rivers these industrial units are discharging hazardous chemicals, which percolate into the ground. Even the treatment technology is not up to the mark. It can not treat heavy metals like cadmium, chromium and mercury properly,” Saha told Carboncopy. “Deep aquifers are still relatively safe, but shallow aquifers are totally contaminated. Some of the contamination like arsenic occurs naturally, but human activities are worsening the problem ” he said. In response to a question in the Rajya Sabha, the government has admitted to “the occurrence of contaminants such as fluoride, arsenic, nitrate and heavy metals, beyond permissible limits (as per BIS) for human consumption in certain isolated pockets in some States / UTs.” Despite spending over ₹33,000 crore in four decades, the Ganga remains polluted. A CWC study found 81 Indian rivers and tributaries with dangerously high levels of toxic heavy metals. According to the report, the heavy metals detected beyond safe limits included arsenic, cadmium, chromium, copper, iron, lead, mercury and nickel. One of the biggest reasons rivers stay polluted is the unchecked dumping of untreated sewage, experts say. Cities along riverbanks routinely release waste directly into the water, and across states, this has become business as usual. Just this month, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) pulled up the governments of Jharkhand and Uttarakhand for allowing untreated sewage to flow into the Ganga. While river pollution remains a serious concern, government data suggests some progress. According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the number of polluted river stretches has dropped from 351 in 2018 to 311 in 2022. Of the 180 stretches out of the 351 flagged as polluted in 2018, water quality improved in all—106 were removed from the polluted list entirely, while 74 were downgraded to a lower-risk category. In 2015, 70% of monitored rivers (275 out of 390) were classified as polluted. By 2022, that figure had dropped to 46% (279 out of 603), according to government assessments. The way forward Experts advocate a shift in thinking. Wastewater isn’t a liability, but a resource. A comprehensive water conservation and management policy is the need of the hour. Shifting the thinking from a supply-driven approach to an integrated urban water management system should be key, say experts. “We have been doing piecemeal planning in many cases. It is a well-established fact that the infrastructure for water supply is capital-intensive. However, we have not focussed adequately on operation and maintenance. User charges are not enough to recover Operation and Maintenance costs. Secondly, we have not been successful in reducing non-revenue water. A lot of water is lost in leakages,” says Dey. “Decentralised treatment, strong regulatory control, and public confidence-building will help India realise the possibilities of wastewater reuse,” she said. Cities like Singapore and El Paso, Texas, treat and reuse wastewater to meet up to 40% of their water needs. India has the potential to follow suit—if treatment plants work efficiently and sludge is managed. But India is able to recycle only a fraction of its wastewater. Over 72,000 MLD of wastewater is generated daily in India, but only 28% is treated. In Delhi, over 1,000 MLD of sewage flows into the Yamuna untreated, despite having 37 STPs—half of which do not meet the standards set by CPCB. “We use freshwater for everything from bus washing to government buildings,” says environment activist Pankaj Kumar, who is associated with an NGO Earth Warriors, which works to spread awareness about cleaning up the Yamuna. “If we use clean treated water for all these works then the pressure on rivers will reduce, giving them a chance to recharge groundwater,” Kumar said. Kumar gives the example of Pappan Kalan in Delhi and some areas in Noida where STPs are working well and the water is being used in agriculture and for groundwater recharge by making ponds. According to a CEEW report, treated wastewater in India could irrigate 26 times Delhi’s area by 2050. The market value of the treated water will be ₹1.9 billion in 2050. Another report by CEEW last year highlights Haryana, Karnataka, and Punjab are the frontrunners of used water management in India. Nitin Bassi, Senior Programme Lead with CEEW, said, “Many Indian cities are now water-stressed. For instance, Bengaluru, which draws most of its freshwater from the Kaveri River and borewells, is currently facing a severe water crisis. Reusing used water to its full potential for non-potable purposes will be key in the future.” Pricing for sustainability One way to make people responsible and conserve water is to put a price on it. Although people purchase bottled water for drinking, it is largely free in homes. “Free water leads to waste,” says Saha. “If there is a price, it will enhance the water use efficiency,” he said. Many experts agree with this idea. Globally, a debate on incremental pricing of water is going on and many countries have implemented the idea where consumers pay for water beyond a certain limit and the price increases with the increase of consumption. “There should be a pricing slab where water is affordable up to a certain limit—enough to meet basic needs. Beyond that, the cost per unit should rise progressively. A cap on total household supply will encourage even wealthier consumers to use water more carefully. For non-potable uses, treated or recycled water should be the norm,” Dey said.

How ground-level ozone is making Delhi's air more deadly for residents

You can’t see it or smell it, but ground-level ozone, often referred to as “bad ozone,” is increasingly becoming a dangerous threat lurking in the air of India’s cities, and it is taking a serious toll on public health. According to an analysis by the Delhi-based think tank Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) based on Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data, each day between March 1 and April 25 this year, ground-level ozone pollution exceeded safe limits across Delhi-National Capital Region (NCR), sparking fresh concerns about a growing public health threat. CSE found that daily ozone levels breached the eight-hour average standard of 100 micrograms per cubic metre without exception during this period. Hotspots identified by CSE include Nehru Nagar, Najafgarh, Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium, and Sri Aurobindo Marg, areas where residents face higher-than-average exposure to this invisible pollutant. Unlike the "good ozone" high up in the Earth’s atmosphere that shields us from harmful ultraviolet rays, ground-level ozone is a harmful pollutant formed when emissions from vehicles, factories, and other sources react under the heat of the sun. As temperatures rise and cities expand, experts warn that ozone pollution is quietly fuelling a public health crisis. According to CSE, "Ground-level ozone is not like other pollutants directly emitted into the atmosphere. It is formed through complex reactions involving nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds in the presence of sunlight. Primary sources include vehicle exhausts, industrial emissions, and certain natural processes." Health effects of ground-level ozone pollution in Delhi-NCR Talking about the health impact of ozone gas, Dr Pratibha Dogra, senior consultant, pulmonology and sleep medicine at Marengo Asia Hospitals, Gurugram, said to Business Standard, "Ground-level ozone is a highly reactive gas that irritates the respiratory system, leading to inflammation of the airways, reduced lung function, and increased vulnerability to infections." "Even short-term exposure can cause coughing, throat irritation, chest tightness, and shortness of breath. For people with asthma, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), or bronchitis, elevated ozone levels can severely worsen symptoms." Who is most vulnerable to ozone pollution in Indian cities? While ground-level ozone affects everyone, Dr Dogra noted that certain groups are especially vulnerable: Children under five years Older adults with pre-existing heart or lung conditions Individuals with asthma or other chronic respiratory diseases Outdoor workers and athletes Pregnant women, as exposure may be linked to adverse birth outcomes "In rapidly urbanising, traffic-heavy areas, this means millions are exposed daily to harmful ozone levels that quietly damage their lungs and overall health. From construction workers to children playing outdoors, many are breathing in air that is silently harming them every day," she said.

चिंताजनक: बेहद खतरनाक होता जा रहा वज्रपात, इस साल अब तक 162 की मौत; एक साल में 184 फीसदी हुई मौतों की वृद्धि

मार्च 2025 से 17 अप्रैल 2025 तक देश के 12 राज्यों में बिजली गिरने से 162 लोगों की जान चली गई। यह संख्या पिछले साल इसी अवधि में दर्ज हुई 57 मौतों की तुलना में 184 फीसदी अधिक है, जो जलवायु परिवर्तन जनित एक नये खतरे की गंभीरता को उजागर करती है। सेंटर फॉर साइंस एंड एनवायरमेंट और एक्सट्रीम वेदर इवेंट्स एटलस के आंकड़ों के साथ-साथ विभिन्न राज्यों के आपदा प्रबंधन विभागों के सार्वजनिक आंकड़ों के विश्लेषण से यह स्थिति सामने आई है। विशेषज्ञों के अनुसार 2022 से मार्च-अप्रैल के महीने वज्रपात के लिहाज से खासे घातक बनते जा रहे हैं। सिर्फ अप्रैल 2025 के शुरुआती 17 दिनों में ही बिजली गिरने से 142 लोगों की मौत हुई, जो अप्रैल 2024 में हुई 28 मौतों की तुलना में पांच गुना ज्यादा है। हालांकि मार्च 2025 में वज्रपात से 20 मौतें हुईं, जो मार्च 2024 के 29 मौतों से थोड़ी कम हैं। विशेषज्ञ मानते हैं कि बंगाल की खाड़ी से आने वाली नमी से लदी पूर्वी हवाओं के चलते वायुमंडलीय अस्थिरता में वृद्धि हुई, जिसने वज्रपात की घटनाओं को बढ़ाया। साथ ही चेतावनी प्रणालियों और जन जागरूकता अभियानों में कमी की वजह से इन घटनाओं में जानमाल का नुकसान बढ़ा जिसे समय रहते नियंत्रित किया जा सकता था। यूपी में भी हालात चिंताजनक उत्तर प्रदेश में भी स्थिति गंभीर रही। मार्च और अप्रैल 2025 के बीच वहां बिजली गिरने से 28 मौतें हुईं, जिनमें से 23 सिर्फ अप्रैल के पहले 17 दिनों में हुईं। यह आंकड़ा पिछले वर्ष की तुलना में 460 फीसदी की वृद्धि को दर्शाता है, जब केवल पांच मौतें दर्ज हुई थीं। बिहार सबसे अधिक प्रभावित मार्च से अप्रैल 2025 के बीच बिहार सबसे ज्यादा प्रभावित राज्य रहा, जहां वज्रपात से 99 मौतें दर्ज की गईं, जो देशभर में हुई कुल मौतों का 61फीसदी है। हैरान करने वाली बात यह है कि इन 99 मौतों में से 98 सिर्फ छह दिनों 9 से 14 अप्रैल के भीतर हुईं। अप्रैल 2025 बिहार के लिए वज्रपात के लिहाज से सबसे घातक महीना बन गया, जिसने पिछले सारे रिकॉर्ड तोड़ दिए। तुलना करें तो अप्रैल 2020 में 25, अप्रैल 2018 में 24 और अप्रैल 2019 में 12 मौतें दर्ज हुई थीं। इसके विपरीत 2023 और 2024 में इस अवधि में कोई भी मौत दर्ज नहीं हुई थी। बिहार पहले से ही वज्रपात के लिहाज से संवेदनशील राज्य रहा है। मार्च-अप्रैल में वज्रपात की तीव्रता अप्रत्याशित जर्नल ऑफ अर्थ सिस्टम साइंस में प्रकाशित अध्ययन के अनुसार 2017 से 2022 के बीच राज्य में 58.8 फीसदी मौतें और 59.4 फीसदी चोट लगने की घटनाएं भी इन्हीं महीनों में हुईं लेकिन इस बार मार्च-अप्रैल में वज्रपात की तीव्रता अप्रत्याशित रूप से बढ़ी है। 17 दिनों के भीतर दर्ज मौतों का आंकड़ा पिछले नौ वर्षों का सबसे अधिक है जो जलवायु परिवर्तन और असामान्य मौसमी घटनाओं के खतरों की ओर इशारा करता है।

Something’s got to give

Donald Trump, the US President, has put global trade in goods on a hot burner. It is impossible to predict the outcome of this reset in the world trade order, which is extremely complex in its interrelationships and has established itself as the only game in town for any country’s economic growth and prosperity. But it is important to take a step back and understand why it came about; what it has done to our world; and what can possibly be the way ahead. First, let’s take a peek into the past. This idea took shape in the early 1990s, when the world (largely the industrialised part) decided to replace the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) with a formal global institution, the World Trade Organization (WTO). The idea was that this would bring world trade to a free zone—trade rules would be applied to all with assured compliance. The world would be one. There was another objective, which has come to bite the industrialised world today. It was well understood that the cost of manufacturing was high in this world; labour was expensive and the cost of environmental regulations was prohibitive. This was the time when the already industrialised countries were feeling the pain of local air and water pollution—from acid rain to toxins in rivers. They were facing huge public outrages and so, the classic “not-in-my-backyard” (NIMBY) principle came to be applied in the name of global trade. Renowned US economist Larry Summers, who in 1992 was with World Bank and went on to become the president of Harvard University, wrote in an internal memo “there is an economic logic to dump toxic waste in the lowest wage country”. The Economist report put it bluntly—“‘let them eat pollution’ says Summers”. The argument was brilliant; it would be cheaper to do business in the lowest-wage countries, with minimal regulations. The richer you are, wrote Summers, the more you want your environment to be clean and so the costs are higher. Public concern about toxic agents that have a one-in-a-million chance to cause prostate cancer would be high in countries where people survive to get prostate cancer, as compared to countries where under five mortality is 200 per 1,000 people. Harsh words, that Summers tried to squirm out of, but what he said was the absolute driver for economic and trade globalisation. WTO was born in 1995, and in 2001, China joined this body. There has been no looking back since. The fact is, global manufacturing moved lock, stock, and barrel from the industrial world to countries like China and then to Vietnam, Bangladesh and Cambodia. It has been a game of finding the bottom; as costs of regulation and labour increase, so does the flight of industry in search of new greener pastures. We see this in India as well—as soon as the pollution regulator cracks the whip, industry moves out to “dark” unauthorised settlement areas. In this free-market world, the cost of labour and environment has to be discounted to stay competitive. Let’s not beat around any moral talk about the need to protect labour rights (including rights of child labourers) or environment. It does not wash. In the 25-odd years of this global trade order, there are now new losers and new winners. In the early 1990s, when Arthur Dunkel’s draft proposal for WTO was being pushed, developing world was up in arms. There were protests in India, for instance, against the idea of unfettered global trade as it would destroy livelihoods of the poorest, particularly farmers who faced the prospect of cheap food being dumped from the industrialised mega farms of the West. By 1999, when the ministers met at Seattle to celebrate the new world order, there was widespread and growing anger against “untamed globalisation”. Protesters also came from the richer world, which was seeing the flight of manufacturing and pain of unemployment. Climate change has been the other big casualty. The fact is, emissions in the West never really reduced; they just moved to new production sites. But all this was covered up; the winners made sure of this. Western companies moved to lower income countries and made profits; consumers (all of us) were happy because of cheaper goods. In all this, the service and technology sector boomed; banks and financial markets made money and with poor income distribution policies, disparities sharpened. The bubble burst when Brexit happened—it was about jobs and as I wrote then, the revenge of the rich. Trump, in his first term, made the same protectionist and tariff noise of today. But, it was buried under the disruption of COVID-19. Now, it is back with a bang. Of course, the global trading system has us all hooked. The low-wage countries have economically benefitted from global trade. In this interconnected world of trade, service and finance, disengagement will come at huge costs. But it is clear that something’s got to give. How this new trading system is designed would make or break much of our world. Let’s continue to examine this. DTE

Adulterated fuel scams cost India $6.5bn a year

Mumbai - At a kiosk on the Trichy-Tanjore highway, one of southern India's main trucking routes, drivers line up to buy water bottles filled with green liquid. The bottles contain diesel or petrol diluted with paraffin, which kiosks sell for 10 percent less than petrol stations do. "My mileage gets hit, but it's cheap," says Kaja as he waits to fill his autorickshaw. Fuel adulterated with paraffin, which is subsidised to provide low-cost cooking fuel for the poor, is choking India's cities and costing the government $6.5 billion (R49 billion) a year in wasted subsidies and lost taxes, says Mysore-based consultant Bhamy Shenoy. The bill may soar as crude oil prices keep climbing. "The lost revenue ends up in the pockets of politicians, officials and gangsters," says Shenoy, who has worked for ConocoPhillips and advised the US Agency for International Development. "Adulteration is thriving because no one wants to lose this income." In the year to March, India spent $19 billion to subsidise fuel, including $4.8 billion on paraffin, the oil ministry said. Up to half the 9.4 million tons of paraffin India produces each year ends up in adulterated fuel, Shenoy says. Paraffin, which is not taxed, costs 9.05 rupees (R1.65) a litre in Mumbai. Motorists pay 36.08 rupees for diesel, including tax. The illegal fuel also undermines anti-air pollution efforts. Paraffin, or kerosene, made in India contains up to 2 000 parts per million (ppm) of sulphur, a major component of smog, exceeding the maximum 350 ppm mandated for diesel sold in major cities, according to Concert, a body that lobbies against fuel tampering. The scam works in various ways. Criminals usually pay staff of regional distribution centres to dilute the diesel and petrol, says Desikan, a trustee of Chennai-based Concert. In other cases, Shenoy says, tankers are diverted to secret depots where the fuel is mixed, then shipped to India's 34 000 official petrol stations, where most of the mixture is sold. Bharat Petroleum, India's second-biggest state refiner, fitted tamper-proof locks and satellite tracking devices to its 4 000 tankers, says Arun Singh, the deputy general manager for retail network planning. He would not discuss their effect or the extent of the problem. "Adulteration is rampant, and oil companies will have to be held responsible," says Anumita Roychowdhury of the New Delhi-based Centre for Science and Environment. She also blames government inaction. Oil companies deny corruption is endemic and say they are trying to curb racketeers. MS Srinivasan, the oil ministry's top civil servant, blames state governments. In 2006 the government ordered that a blue dye be put in paraffin so inspectors could see adulterated fuel. "It hasn't affected my supply," says one kiosk owner. "Everyone is paid to stay quiet."

TakingYour Breath Away: Ground-Level Ozone BreachedOn 56Days Since March

This summer, ground-level ozone exceedances were reported on 56 days between March 1 and April 25, according to a new analysis by Centre for Science and Environment (CSE). The worst day in terms of high ozone levels was April 13, when 25 out of 39 stations in Delhi reported exceedance. The hotspots are Nehru Nagar, Najafgarh, Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium and Sri Aurobindo Marg. Of the total 40 stations in the city, the average ozone levels did not exceed the standard at just 10 stations this summer so far. Exceedance is computed as the daily maximum eighthour average crossing the ground-level ozone's eighthour standard, which is 100 microgram per cubic metre. Anumita Roychowdhury, executive director of research and advocacy at CSE, said, "Ozone is not directly emitted by any source. But nitrogen oxides (NOx) and other gases react with each other under the inuence of sunlight and form ozone. This requires stringent control of emissions from vehicles, industry and other combustion sources." The analysis showed that Nehru Nagar station in Lajpat Nagar recorded the highest exceedance on all 56 days from March 1 to April 25. It was followed by Najafgarh at 54 days and Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium at 50 days.

At 2,507 MW,Kol power demand peaked on Thurs night

Kolkata: The city witnessed an early and intense increase in cooling demand, driven by the worsening Urban Heat Island (UHI) eect. On April 24, Kolkata's energy needs peaked, a full two months earlier than last year. According to West Bengal State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (WBSEDCL), the state's energy demand soared to 10,090 MW late on Thursday night, while CESC, Kolkata's main power utility, saw a peak of 2,507 MW. The soaring demand coincided with maximum temperature reaching 35.4°C and relative humidity climbing to 89%, drastically narrowing the gap between day and night temperatures. This intense combination of heat and moisture has sparked concern over wet-bulb temperatures — a measure that accounts for both heat and humidity, and indicates the risk of heat stress on the body. Experts warn that a wet-bulb temperature of 35°C and relative humidity beyond 75% is considered critical, beyond which even healthy individuals can survive for only a few hours. A report by Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) underscores the dangers of Kolkata's rising energy consumption. It warns that without rapid adoption of energy-ecient cooling technologies, the increased demand for air-conditioning and cooling will escalate greenhouse gas emissions, compounding the already critical urban heat problem.

Delhi’s 6 new air stations may give pollution data green bias: Experts

Last week, Delhi environment minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa announced that the government will add six new continuous ambient air quality monitoring stations (CAAQMS), adding to the Capital’s 40 station-strong grid that acts as the backbone of the city’s pollution monitoring mechanism. But three of the new stations are proposed to be inside lush-green campuses – Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) in south Delhi, Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) in south Delhi and Netaji Subhash University (West Campus) in west Delhi – one station deep inside the Central Ridge at the ISRO Earth station near Malcha Mahal, and two more in relatively green areas, Delhi cantonment and the Commonwealth Games Sports Complex in east Delhi, HT has learnt. Sirsa has announced the locations for the five stations but not disclosed the location for the sixth. Experts say the location chosen for these new stations may eventually bring the overall average air quality index (AQI) of the city down, thereby providing a lopsided picture of pollution in the city, especially in the winter months. Anumita Roychowdhury, executive director at the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), echoed the concern. “These sites are not data-starved zones. We need monitors in southwest and northwest peripheries where coverage is inadequate.” Sirsa, however, rejected the criticism, stating Delhi’s ambient air quality network needed to be expanded to cover all types of locations. “We already have monitors in several polluted hotspots. If we keep adding only to those, we won’t have a true citywide picture,” he said. “The new sites were selected by DPCC, and the process began under the previous government.”

No checks on waste burning, toxic smoke engulfs Gurgaon, office hub among hotspots

Gurgaon: The city is grappling with a severe pollution crisis. Heaps of garbage set ablaze across various sectors continue to pollute the air and pose significant hazards. Waste-burning hotspots include IFFCO Chowk, Sector 10, Udyog Vihar, Sector 31, Sector 90 and Sector 85 among others. Locals allege shopkeepers, garbage collectors, sanitation workers and security guards are responsible for burning trash in the open. On Friday, a fire in Sector 29 took firefighters more than 30 minutes to extinguish after trash was set ablaze in a green belt. This incident is not isolated, as several areas in the city are witnessing rampant waste burning. Residents have reported that such incidents go unchecked daily, despite multiple complaints to the state pollution control board. Three out of four air monitors in the city are not working. As a result, the AQI is not portraying a clear picture of the situation. HSPCB regional officer Vijay Chaudhary said, "We have asked both MCG and MCM to take steps to curb garbage burning incidents in the city." An MCG official acknowledged that the corporation received complaints of open waste burning and they have been forwarded to the concerned sanitary inspectors to carry out checks. "Violators will be penalised," the MCG official said. Waste burning on open grounds releases pollutants like PM2.5, PM10, oxides of nitrogen and carbon monoxide. Shubhansh Tiwari, a research associate at the Centre for Science and Environment, said on Friday, "PM10 is a coarse particle that embeds itself deep in the lungs, causing diseases." Director & HOD, department of pulmonology at Paras Health (Gurgaon), Dr Arunesh Kumar told TOI waste must be managed through sustainable systems, "not set on fire". "Our lungs are not built to filter poison. Clean air is not a luxury — it is our most fundamental right," he said. Arunesh said, "This isn't just a seasonal concern — it's a persistent public health emergency. Gurgaon's rapid urbanisation has far outpaced its waste management infrastructure, leading to this dangerous, informal practice. The air we breathe is becoming a silent killer and the consequences are cumulative and irreversible for many." Dr Arunesh Kumar said, "As a pulmonologist practicing in Gurgaon, I am deeply concerned about the unchecked and rampant burning of waste across the city. Every day, I see patients — young children, elderly individuals and even healthy adults — suffering from chronic coughs, worsening asthma, bronchitis, and other respiratory conditions directly linked to toxic air pollution caused by open waste burning." "The thick, acrid smoke generated from burning plastic, rubber and household refuse releases a cocktail of harmful pollutants, including particulate matter, dioxins and carbon monoxide. These not only damage the lungs but also compromise heart health, immune function and even cognitive development in children," Dr Arunesh said. Rampant waste burning has significant negative implications for both the environment and human health. Associate director & head pulmonology & critical care, CK Birla (Gurgaon), Dr Kuldeep Kumar Grover said, "It contributes to air pollution, exacerbates climate change and can cause various health problems, including respiratory issues and increased risk of certain cancers. Major issues presented to doctors are respiratory, bronchitis, infections and lung-related ailments." The state pollution control board has been receiving numerous complaints, but residents claim that the response has been inadequate. "We need stricter enforcement and immediate action to stop this practice," said Meghna Mehta, a daily commuter from Udyog Vihar. "Authorities are urged to take swift action to address this growing problem and ensure that waste is managed in a more sustainable and environmentally friendly manner. The health and well-being of the city's residents depend on it," Gurpreet Singh, a resident of Sector 85, said. Residents are deeply concerned. "We have been complaining about this issue every day, but no action has been taken," Sagar Yadav, a resident of Sector 30, said. "The smoke from the burning garbage is unbearable and poses a serious health risk, especially for children and the elderly," Sagar said. In June 2024, the Haryana govt declared what it called a ‘solid waste exigency' in the city. This allowed for the implementation of a Solid Waste Environment Exigency Programme (SWEEP), under which teams of district administration, MCG and GMDA were formed to monitor cleanliness drives across the city. Months earlier, the city put up its worst show in the central govt's Swachh Survekshan rankings, finishing 140th out of 446 Indian cities, the lowest it fell to since the exercise began in 2016.

Summer Siege

India’s cities are hurtling towards a dangerous climatic tipping point. For the third summer in a row, the country is witnessing prolonged heatwaves and record-breaking temperatures across major urban centers. The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has already issued red alerts for states like Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, and Delhi-NCR, as maximum temperatures soar beyond 45°C. While rural India has long borne the brunt of nature’s fury, it is urban India—crowded, chaotic, and concrete—that is fast emerging as the frontline of the climate crisis. The phenomenon of urban heat islands, where temperatures in cities are significantly higher than in nearby rural areas, is now a lived reality for millions. Poorly ventilated concrete buildings, asphalt roads, and a severe lack of green cover have turned India’s cities into pressure cookers during the summer months. A recent study by the Centre for Science and Environment revealed that over 70 Indian cities now report heat differentials of 4–6°C compared to their surroundings, severely impacting public health, productivity, and basic urban life. Yet, this escalating urban climate emergency has not been matched by proactive policy reform or targeted mitigation strategies. While governments at both central and state levels have taken some steps—such as issuing heatwave warnings and providing temporary relief shelters—these measures remain reactionary, insufficient, and often too little, too late. India’s urban infrastructure is fundamentally unprepared to handle the growing intensity of extreme weather events. Slums and informal housing—where more than 100 million urban Indians reside—are most vulnerable. These settlements lack insulation, access to potable water, or even basic healthcare access, making residents extremely susceptible to heatstroke and dehydration. Power grids routinely collapse under the burden of increased demand for air conditioning and cooling systems, while water shortages worsen as reservoirs dry up. Despite the increasing frequency of such conditions, few cities have a working Heat Action Plan (HAP). Those that do—like Ahmedabad, which pioneered India’s first HAP in 2013—often struggle with enforcement, public awareness, and coordination across agencies. Meanwhile, urban expansion continues unabated, with rampant deforestation and unchecked construction erasing any chance of environmental balance. The push for smart cities has largely prioritized digital infrastructure over climate-smart infrastructure, further exposing the shortsightedness of our urban development vision. India cannot afford to be passive in the face of this mounting threat. The blueprint for a climate-resilient urban future must be rooted in long-term structural reforms and community-centric planning. Cities must urgently adopt green building codes that mandate the use of reflective materials, better insulation, and ventilation. Expanding urban green spaces—parks, tree-lined roads, green rooftops—is not just aesthetically desirable, but a scientific necessity. Rainwater harvesting, urban wetlands, and sustainable drainage systems must be integrated into new and existing city plans. Furthermore, heatwave management must move beyond advisories to institutionalised preparedness: early warning systems, emergency cooling centers, and community health outreach need to be scaled up. Funding for municipal bodies must be tied to their performance on climate indicators, and inter-departmental coordination must become the norm rather than the exception. This summer is not an outlier—it is the beginning of a new normal. India’s urban policy must now evolve to reflect this truth. We need to stop treating heatwaves as seasonal inconveniences and start treating them as climate disasters. Because if this summer teaches us anything, it’s that the climate clock for our cities is ticking fast—and we’re already behind.

‘Good measures, poor implementation, no legal teeth’: Can Delhi’s heat action plan face the heat?

Summer is upon us, and as Delhi braces for heatwave conditions, the focus is now on the recently released Heat Action Plan (HAP). The HAP, released yearly, is a coordinated multi-agency response to protect vulnerable communities, maintain public services, and reduce heat-related illnesses and fatalities during summer. Newslaundry looked at key measures of the HAP across four sectors – public transport, construction safety, shelter homes, and water supply – and spoke to stakeholders and experts to understand how Delhi has implemented them in the past. While the HAP includes thoughtful provisions, experts say, poor implementation, the absence of legal backing, dedicated funding, and inter-departmental coordination render it ineffective. With rising heatwave-linked fatalities and increasing climate stress, Delhi’s response remains more on paper than on the ground“Heat is a creeping disaster – unlike floods or earthquakes, it builds slowly and impacts multiple sectors at once. Managing it requires strong coordination across departments and levels of government. The HAP must act as a clear blueprint, with nodal officers and defined responsibilities to ensure a timely, multi-agency response”, said Ishan Kukreti, programme lead at Adaptation and Resilience, Sustainable Future Collaborative – an independent research organisation focused on climate change, energy, and environmental sustainability. Missing bus sheds, cool roofs, no water at stands In the HAP, the Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) needs to “ensure availability of adequate bus shelters with drinking facilities, and construct shelters/ sheds, bus stands with cool roofs”. However, according to Lalit Chaudhary, president of DTC Karamchari Ekta Union, a workers' union representing DTC drivers, conductors, home guards, and support workers, said, “None of the measures mentioned are in action. If you look at the sheds on the bus stands, forget about constructing new ones; even the old ones are not repaired. There is no water available at these bus stands. We even face problems related to washrooms”. Other HAP measures include ensuring buses do not run during peak hours (12-4 pm) when a heatwave is declared, and the repair or maintenance of mechanical and technical systems with towing arrangements on a priority basis. The HAP also directs the DTC to install fans and cooling systems in buses. “Last summer, we didn’t get any guidelines to stop plying buses [between 12-4 pm]. The frequency of the buses decreases when the staff changes for the next shift. But it is not because of the summer,” said Chaudhary. Chaudhary told Newslaundry that the only relief is that the new buses are fitted with AC. However, the old red or orange buses don’t have fans or air conditioning. “Even in some old AC buses, the air conditioning does not work. They have closed windows, which makes the inside of the bus even hotter,” he said. Mithashi Singh, programme manager, Sustainable Habitat Programme, at Centre for Science and Environment, said, “These measures sound good, but how feasible are they? For instance, there is a measure on stopping buses during the daytime, but how will people without personal vehicles commute at a reasonable cost? The implementation direction is not clear”. A DTC official, on the condition of anonymity, said, “We try to adhere to the guidelines, and repairs are done when necessary”. Construction, factory workers at risk Among the vulnerable groups described in the HAP are construction workers, factory workers and other labourers. The labour department must ensure these workers only work from 7 am to 1 pm, and 4 pm to 6 pm. The HAP also states, “Ensure provision of shelters/ cooling areas, water and supply of emergency medicines like ORS, etc. at work sites by employers and ensure sheds for resting and drinking water facilities for workers at all workplaces. Special care for vulnerable groups, women and old ages”. These are mentioned under Phase 2- during the heat season. However, Amjad Hassan, the general secretary of Delhi Asangathit Nirman Mazdoor Union, a workers’ union working for labour rights, told Newslaundry, “There is no such provision of halting the work from 1 pm to 4 pm during summers or when a heatwave is declared”. He added that even if the work is stalled, the workers don’t get paid for that time. Last year, when temperatures in Delhi reached 50 degrees Celsius, Delhi’s lieutenant governor had ordered a paid three-hour break for the workers at construction sites. However, the order was hardly implemented. Newslaundry reported about the same last year. “Forget cooling sheds, sometimes, there’s not enough water for the workers even in scorching summers, and the sheds available are made of tin, which, instead of providing relief, trap the heat and make it hotter for the workers,” added Hassan. He underlined that the intervention of the labour department in the implementation of these policies is important. Last year, Delhi’s labour department released a Heat Wave Circular emphasising the need for water and coolers on work sites. But Hassan said, “There is sometimes just one bulb in labour camps and no fans.” Portable tin shelter homes with no fans At least 192 homeless people died in Delhi over nine days due to extreme heat last June, according to a report released last year by the non-profit Centre for Holistic Development. Economically weaker sections are described as vulnerable groups in the HAP. The HAP mandates the identification and construction of shelter locations for the urban poor and slum dwellers. Further, it also includes a “pilot project on roof painting with white colour – cool roof and or distribution of gunny bags for putting on the tin roofs/asbestos in slums.” But according to Aishwarya Ayushmaan, programmes lead at Housing and Land Rights Network, an organisation working to help marginalised people avail their right to adequate housing and land, “No such actions as far as I know have been implemented. Even if poor people want to paint their roofs white, will the government give them the money? They face the risk of demolition and would not want to make that kind of investment when that risk is involved”. The provision for the homeless is that “night shelters stay open all day for the migratory population during a heat alert”. Ayushman said some of these shelters are portable cabins made of tin roofs and do not work well in summer. Abhishek Bajpai, president of the Delhi Shelter Homes Workers Union agreed with Ayushmaan. “There are nearly 103 portable cabin shelters which have tin roofs, and the cabins become hotter because of them. There are many shelter homes with few to no fans and exhaust fans,” he said. Bajpai also emphasised that the total capacity of the shelters, as mentioned on the Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board (DUSIB) site, is 19,794 people. “These shelters are not filled to their full capacity, because of a lack of even basic amenities like fans. The roofs of these shelters have not been painted white or with heat-reflective paint,” he added. Kukreti said, “The HAP is appropriate in its vulnerability exercise, which is done to identify vulnerable areas and people, but the implementation is not sufficient.” Missed green goals, perennial water shortage The HAP also focuses on promoting green and heat-resilient infrastructure, such as enhancing natural shading, creating green spaces, and increasing forest and green cover. The departments responsible for implementing this include the forest department, public works department, irrigation and flood control Department, Municipal Corporation of Delhi, New Delhi Municipal Council, Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board, and Delhi Development Authority. On June 26, 2024, in response to the severe heatwave, the Supreme Court directed the Delhi Government and the DDA to take effective steps to expand green cover across the national capital. According to the Green Action Plan for 2024-25, except for PWD and NDMC, none of the agencies achieved their annual targets allotted. MCD completed just 49 percent of the target. While DDA and I&FC achieved zero percent. Another recurring summer crisis in Delhi is water shortage – something the HAP attempts to address by mandating that the Delhi Jal Board (DJB) ensure adequate water storage and restore water bodies. But the data paints a grim picture. In a report presented to the National Green Tribunal in August last year, only 43 water bodies were found on the ground, compared to 322 identified through satellite imagery. According to a Delhi Parks and Garden Society list, out of 1,045 water bodies, 631 were prioritised for rejuvenation in Phase I. Of these, 179 were either dry or in poor condition, and many entries lacked sufficient data, rendering them inconclusive. When temperatures soared to 50 degrees Celsius last year, the then water minister Atishi appealed to residents to conserve water and imposed a Rs 2,000 fine for wastage. The DJB had aimed to supply 1,000 million gallons per day (MGD) under its summer action plan. However, the Delhi Economic Survey 2023–24 reported the city’s actual daily water demand as 1,290 MGD, revealing a substantial supply gap. One HAP measure also promises water tankers for slums on orange or red alert heatwave days. Yet, many areas still report severe water distress. “Slum dwellers in places like Shakur Basti continue to struggle for water during summers,” said Ayushmaan. Delhi water minister Parvesh Verma launched a new Summer Action Plan in 2025 in March, focusing on improved distribution, curbing illegal connections, better sewer management, and stricter oversight. The new HAP mandates that all hospitals must report cases of heat-related illnesses (HRIs). It also directs the health department to ensure storage of oral rehydration solutions or ORS and cool packs, and readiness to manage heatstroke at health facilities. But a 2024 “Heat-Related Illness Preparedness Survey” by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare found that only 19 percent of 70 Delhi health centres were even minimally prepared to provide active cooling. Weak enforcement, funding gaps A major structural flaw in the HAP, according to experts, is the lack of dedicated funding. “Heat is not among the 12 officially notified disasters, which makes it difficult for states to access disaster management funds – unless it’s declared a local disaster,” said Ishan Kukreti. While a September 2024 update allows mitigation funding without formal disaster declarations, most interventions still focus on short-term relief. Long-term resilience demands more consistent financial support. Because heat isn’t officially classified as a disaster, Delhi cannot draw from the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF). Ironically, while the SDRF allocation in the Delhi 2025-26 Budget increased from Rs 300 lakh in 2024–25 to Rs 2,500 lakh in 2025–26, those funds remain largely out of reach for heat mitigation. Another pressing concern is the absence of a legal mechanism to enforce the plan. “There are good measures in the HAP, but without legal authority and dedicated funding, it's just a loose set of suggestions,” Kukreti noted. Sustainable Habitat Programme’s Mithashi Singh echoed the sentiment: “Ideas like cool roofs are viable, but without enforcement, who ensures implementation?” She added, “The plan has no teeth. It lacks a central anchor.” Both experts underscored the need for a coordinating authority – something akin to the CAAQMS (Continuous Ambient Air Quality Monitoring System) used for air pollution. “Heat response needs a clear command structure,” Singh said. In a study released last month, Sustainable Future Collaborative analysed the HAP of nine Indian cities, including Delhi. The study finds that cities are much less likely to implement long-term actions that can be implemented now to reduce future heat risk in these cities. Many long-term actions, like tree planting and infrastructure upgrades, are not targeted at the most heat-vulnerable areas, making their impact on heat resilience limited and uneven. While the actions in HAP contribute to overall climate adaptation, they miss the opportunity to directly address extreme heat. In most cities studied, tree planting wasn’t guided by heat vulnerability assessments, and dense slum areas posed challenges due to a lack of space. Key long-term measures like income insurance for lost work hours, electricity grid upgrades for rising cooling needs, and equitable access to cooling remain largely absent. Newslaundry contacted the health department, transport department, labour department, DDA, NDMC, DUSIB and DJB for comments. This copy will be updated if they respond.

Why Delhi’s New EV Policy Will Ban Fuel-Guzzling Two-Wheelers

Delhi plans to ban sales of fuel-guzzling motorbikes and scooters and limit gasoline and diesel-powered cars a family can buy, according to the draft electric vehicle policy, reported Reuters. The policy’s second phase will ban the sale of gasoline, diesel and gas-based two-wheelers starting April 1, 2027. It is also providing a cash incentive of up to $350 on the purchase of electric bikes and scooters. Aimed at tackling pollution in one of the world’s most polluted capital, according to a study by Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), the move could contribute to keep the pollution levels in check which often force local authorities to ban some construction, shut schools and disrupt flights in the city of more than 30 million people during the winter season. EV Policy Targets Pollution Reduction The new electric policy further outlines that the city government will waive some local taxes on the purchase of hybrids, putting them on par with concessions given to EVs, while imposing a new levy of Rs 0.5 ($0.0059) on every litre of petrol sales, reported Reuters. The primary objective, as cited by Reuters, “is to unlock the next phase of EV adoption, reduce air pollution and contribute to India’s energy independence and net zero-targets,” the draft stated. Since two-wheelers are essential for many residents of Delhi, especially those from lower- and middle- income groups, the policy’s impact could be significant for daily commuters. The ban on sale of fossil fuel two-wheelers from 2027 will impact manufacturers like Bajaj Motors, TVS and Hero MotoCorp, with some of the negative impact offset by increased sales of their electric two-wheelers. The Reuters report also stated that the move targets the more affluent population. The policy is also set to limit the number of fossil fuel cars each household can purchase to two, as it aims for a 30% EV penetration by 2030, from around 2.7% last year. "All private car owners in Delhi will be required to purchase only electric cars if they intend to own (a) third or subsequent car registered to the same residential address," the 74-page draft seen by Reuters stated.

Govt moots emission reduction targets for energy-guzzling companies

For the first time, India is looking to introduce a compliance mechanism aimed at reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions across four of the country’s most energy-intensive industrial sectors – aluminium, cement, chlor-alkali, and pulp & paper. The draft proposal seeks emission cuts through either carbon-credit trading or by setting company-specific emission reduction targets within each sector. The draft outlines a schedule of emission intensity reductions for over 130 industrial entities, including major players like Vedanta, Hindalco, Nalco, UltraTech, ACC, Ambuja, Dalmia, and JSW Cement. In a Gazette draft notification, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) has proposed the Greenhouse Gas Emission Intensity (GEI) Target Rules, 2025. These rules are part of the country’s evolving Carbon Credit Trading Scheme (CCTS), 2023. The primary goal of the new rules is to help India meet its Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) commitments by lowering GEI through reduced GHG emissions and encouraging the adoption of sustainable, low-emission technologies across high-polluting industries, the MoEFCC said in its draft notification. Under this framework, the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) will establish emission-intensity targets (EIT) for designated industrial sectors. These will be calculated in tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent emissions (tCO2) per tonne of production, with the targets applying from FY26 to FY27, based on baseline data from FY24. The notification states that “obligated entities” must meet the GEI targets according to the compliance schedule and in line with the provisions of the CCTS. For instance, Vedanta Limited’s Smelter-II in Odisha must reduce its emission intensity from 13.4927 tCO₂ in FY24 to 13.2260 in FY26, and further to 12.8259 by FY27. Similarly, Nalco’s smelter & power complex in Angul, Odisha, would need to cut emissions from 17.3505 tCO₂ in FY24 to 16.2479 tCO2 by FY27. Other companies, including JK Cement in Karnataka, Dalmia Cement (Bharat) Ltd in Andhra Pradesh, and DCM Shriram Consolidated Ltd’s chlor-alkali unit in Kota, have also been assigned reduction targets. Firms that fail to meet their EITs would be required either to buy carbon credit certificates or pay environmental compensation (EC) penalties to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) for the shortfall in the relevant compliance year. The penalty amount would be set at twice the average trading price of carbon credit certificates during that compliance year, payable within 90 days. Funds collected as EC will be used within the framework of the CCTS, following recommendations from the National Steering Committee for the Indian Carbon Market and with final approval from the central government. The government has opened a 60-day window from the date of publication for stakeholders to submit their comments or suggestions on the draft. Parth Kumar, programme manager at the industry unit of the Centre for Science and Environment, described the move as a positive step for the industrial sector. “However, the level of ambition associated with these targets will be critical, as these will determine the supply, demand, and subsequent pricing of carbon credits, which are essential for achieving the market's intended goals.” He also pointed to the importance of transparency, efficiency and quality in monitoring, reporting and verification processes. Kumar further highlighted the need for robust penalty enforcement, a high floor price for credits, controls to prevent an oversupply of voluntary credits, and market stability mechanisms to ensure the scheme worked as intended. India’s wider climate strategy seeks to decarbonise its industrial sectors in keeping with the country’s commitments under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), particularly Article 6 of the Paris Agreement. India has pledged to cut the emission intensity of its gross domestic product by 45 per cent by 2030, compared with 2005 levels. The CCTS was first announced in June 2023 as a key measure to incentivise emission reductions, allowing entities to trade carbon credits and expanding on the existing Perform, Achieve and Trade scheme. It seeks to establish a national carbon market, with a compliance mechanism for obligated industries alongside an offset mechanism for voluntary action.