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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.

Scanner on end-of-life vehicles entering Delhi

The Delhi government plans to install cameras at all border points and issue warnings via text messages to owners of overage vehicles registered outside the national capital, environment minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa said In a bid to regulate entry of end-of-life vehicles in the Capital, the Delhi government plans to install cameras at all border points and issue warnings via text messages to owners of such vehicles registered outside the national capital, environment minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa said on Wednesday. The cameras, Sirsa told HT, will be connected to VAHAN database under the Centre’s ministry of road transport and highways. The cameras will identify overage vehicles, while LED boards will display and flash numbers of such vehicles, the minister added. Additionally, an SMS will be sent in advance, alerting these vehicles that their entry is illegal in the capital, he said. “The goal is to eventually issue automatic online challans to such cars,” Sirsa said. The state government has sought a database from VAHAN of all overage vehicles registered in other states. A meeting is scheduled on Thursday at the Delhi secretariat with officials of the transport department and the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) to discuss modalities for the same, Sirsa said. Petrol vehicles older than 15 years and diesel vehicles older than 10 years are considered as end-of-life vehicles. Delhi has around 6 million such vehicles, according to transport department estimates. The planned measures are part of the Delhi government’s strict stance on plying of end-of-life vehicles. The vehicular sector is among the highest contributors to air pollution in the Capital — a November 2024 assessment by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) found that among local sources, the vehicular sector contributes around 51% to the total pollution load in the city.

ओजोन का बढ़ता प्रदूषण पैदा कर सकता है खाद्यान्न संकट, फसलों को पहुंचाता है भारी नुकसान

नई दिल्ली, विवेक तिवारी। गर्मियों का मौसम शुरू हो चुका है। ऐसे में दिल्ली सहित देश के कई हिस्सों में हवा में ओजोन का प्रदूषण तेजी से बढ़ने लगा है। ओजोन का ये बढ़ता प्रदूषण आने वाले समय में खाद्यान्न संकट की स्थिति पैदा कर सकता है। आईआईटी खड़गपुर से जुड़े शोधकर्ताओं की ओर से किए गए एक अध्ययन में पाया गया कि ओजोन के प्रदूषण के चलते भारत में गेहूं, धान और मक्का की पैदावार में गिरावट देखी जा सकती है। वैज्ञानिकों के मुताबिक अगर ओजोन के प्रदूषण को नियंत्रित नहीं किया गया तो 2050 तक गेहूं की पैदावार में 20 फीसदी और धान और मक्के की फसल में सात फीसदी तक की कमी दर्ज की जा सकती है। आईआईटी खड़गपुर के वैज्ञानिकों ने जलवायु मॉडल (सीएमआइपी6) से मिले आंकड़ों का इस्तेमाल कर ये अध्ययन किया है। साथ ही इस अध्ययन में उन्होंने ये जानने का प्रयास किया है कि अगर ओजोन का प्रदूषण बढ़ता है तो इसका भारत में प्रमुख खाद्यान फसलों पर कितना असर पड़ेगा। वायु प्रदूषण पर लम्बे समय से काम कर रहे सेंटर फॉर साइंस एंड एनवायरमेंट के वैज्ञानिका विवेक चटोपाध्याय कहते हैं कि ओजोन एक ऑक्सीडेंट है। ये पौधों की पत्तियों और ऊतकों को नुकसान पहुंचाता है। इसके प्रभाव के चलते हरे पत्ते पीले पड़ जाते हैं। पौधे की पत्तियों को दो चरणों में नुकसान पहुंचता है पहला चरण है क्लोरोसिस जिसमें पत्ते पीले पड़ जाते हैं। वहीं दूसरा चरण है मैक्रोसिस जिसमें पत्तों की सेल डैमेज हो जाती है। वहीं पत्ते की निचली सहत जिसे स्टोमेटा कहते हैं और पत्ते जिसके जरिए गैसों का आदान प्रदान करते हैं उसको भी ओजोन नुकसान पहुंचाता है। गर्मियों के मौसम में गाड़ियों और पावर प्लांट से निकलने वाला प्रदूषण धुआं जिसमें नाइट्रोजन डाई ऑक्साइड रहता है ये सूरज की गर्मी की वजह से क्रिया कर ऑक्सीजन बनाता है। गौरतलब है कि ओजोन बेहद घातक प्रदूषक गैस है। ये एक ग्रीनहाउस गैस भी है जो क्लाइमेट चेंज को बढ़ावा देती है। ओजोन के प्रदूषण को नियंत्रित करने के लिए हमें गाड़ियों और पावर प्लांट से होने वाले प्रदूषण पर लगाम लगानी होगी। इसके साथ ही पेट्रोल पम्प पर पेट्रोल डालते समय हवा में उड़ने वाले पेट्रोल के वाष्प को रोकने के लिए भी तकनीक का इस्तेमाल करना होगा। भारत ही नहीं आज दुनिया के कई देशों में ओजोन का प्रदूषण एक बड़ी समस्या बन रहा है। ओजोन के प्रदूषण से फसलों के उत्पादन पर कितना असर होगा इसके कई अध्ययन चल रहे हैं। भारत सरकार की संस्था इंडियन काउंसिल फॅार एग्रीकल्चर रिसर्च के वैज्ञानिक डॉक्टर नरेश कुमार कहते हैं कि हवा में ओजोन का स्तर 40ppb से ज्यादा होने पर पौधों को नुकसान पहुंचता है। ओजोन पौधे की फोटोसिंथेसिस की प्रक्रिया को बाधित कर देता है। इससे पौधा कमजोर होता है और उत्पादन पर असर पड़ता है। खेतों में डाली जाने वाली यूरिया और अन्य खाद भी तेज गर्मी में ओजोन बनने का कारण होती हैं। लेकिन ओजोन से फसल को कितना नुकसान होता है इस पर अभी कुछ कहना जल्दबाजी होगी। ओजोन के अलावा जलवायु परिवर्तन सहित कई अन्य कारण भी हैं जिनसे पौधों की सेहत और उत्पादकता पर असर पड़ता है। सेंटर फॉर साइंस एंड एनवायरमेंट की कुछ समय पहले आई एक रिपोर्ट में दावा किया गया है कि देश के कई शहरों में ओजोन के प्रदूषण के स्तर में चिंताजनक तौर पर वृद्धि हुई है। सीएसई में वायु प्रदूषण पर लम्बे समय से काम कर रहे डॉक्टर विवेक चटोपाध्याय कहते हैं कि हमने अपने अध्ययन में पाया कि पहले जहां ओजोन के प्रदूषण की समस सिर्फ गर्मियों में होती थी वहीं अब ये पूरे साल की समस्या बन गई है। खास तौर पर दक्षिण और पश्चिमी तटीय महानगरीय इलाकों में ये समस्या काफी बढ़ चुकी है। सामान्य तौर पर जब सूरज की रौशनी हो, गर्मी ज्यादा हो और गाड़ियों के धुएं का प्रदूषण हवा में मौजूद हो तो ही ओजोन के प्रदूषण में वृद्धि देखी जाती है। लेकिन हमने अध्ययन में पाया कि महानगरों में सूर्यास्त के बाद भी हवा में ओजोन का स्तर बढ़ा हुआ रहता है। ओजोन के प्रदूषण की खास बात ये है कि ये गैस के रूप में होती है। ऐसे में दिल्ली का ओजोन प्रदूषण हवा के साथ आसपास के ऐसे इलाके में पहुंच सकता है जहां प्रदूषण का कोई स्रोत न हो। ऐसे में इसके प्रदूषण की चपेट में काफी बड़े इलाके के लोग आ जाते हैं।

Construction, decimation of green cover turningKol into urban heatisland: Study

Kolkata: The soaring summer heat is linked to shrinking green cover and rising built-up areas, according to a report by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE). Summers in Kolkata are becoming increasingly unbearable, not just because of rising mercury but due to the city's rapidly transforming landscape. The report highlights that unchecked urban expansion, shrinking green space and diminishing water bodies are altering the city's natural ability to stay cool, turning it into a heat trap. CSE, a Delhi-based environmental think tank, conducted a study from 2001 to 2023, analysing land surface temperatures and humidity trends across six megacities — Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Chennai — and four smaller cities — Chandigarh, Jaipur, Lucknow and Pune. The ndings reveal a disturbing trend: urban areas are becoming heat zones, with heatwaves growing more intense. In Kolkata, the study found that the built-up area, which includes concrete infrastructure and roads, rose sharply from 70% in 2001 to 80.1% in 2023. In contrast, green cover, crucial for temperature regulation, slightly declined from 15.2% to 14.5%. Alarmingly, scrubland and barren land, which earlier acted as buer zones, plummeted from 9.8% to 3.4%, and water bodies reduced by more than half — from 5.1% to 1.9%. These changes are key contributors to the Urban Heat Island (UHI) eect, where densely built-up urban areas retain more heat than their surroundings. With less vegetation and water to moderate temperatures, heat lingers well into the night, increasing public health risks, particularly during summer and monsoon months. What makes Kolkata's heat even more punishing is its high humidity. The CSE report underscores that humidity has become a major driver of urban heat stress, particularly in coastal cities like Kolkata and Mumbai. The Heat Index — a measure of how hot it feels when relative humidity is factored in — has skyrocketed. In cities like Chennai, humidity added nearly 7°C to the perceived temperature. Kolkata, with its already high humidity levels, now frequently crosses thresholds that cause extreme heat stress. CSE's analysis utilised satellite data from Landsat 7 and 8, focusing on the Normalised Dierence Vegetation Index (NDVI) to assess green cover during India's hottest months — April to June. NDVI readings showed a consistent decline in vegetation, particularly during heatwave periods, correlating directly with the city's rising thermal stress. The reduced green cover means the city has lost its natural heat-mitigation shield, accelerating the impact of climate change at a hyperlocal level. The CSE report makes it clear: India's cities are becoming hotter, wetter, and more dangerous, particularly for vulnerable populations. Without a clear and immediate shi in urban planning — focused on restoring green cover, conserving water bodies, and limiting unplanned construction — the situation is set to worsen.

Earth’s Rights, Our Responsibilities

In 2005, I gave a lecture at the University of Wisconsin-Madison on the 35th anniversary of Earth Day. I noted how the imagery and discourse of the Earth had changed since the photographs from the Apollo missions conditioned Americans to see the planet as a unified space, maintained by biogeochemical systems that science could study and technology could manage for the benefit of humankind. The 1987 report of the United Nations Commission on Environment and Development, Our Common Future, called this moment akin to “the Copernican revolution of the 16th century, which upset the human self-image by revealing that the Earth is not the centre of the universe.” But was this revolution complete, I wondered. Had we, as citizens of the world, “become a single imagined community, a global community, with respect to our stewardship of the Earth”? If not, I asked back then, “what are the prospects for a truly global environmentalism in the next 10, 20, 35 years?” nstead of leading the global effort to reduce emissions, US policy is aiming to ramp up the country’s fossil fuel production in the name of increasing consumer choice for Americans. Twenty years later, the outlook for global unity looks decidedly unpromising. The United States, one of the world’s largest carbon emitters, both per capita and absolutely, has opted out. In January 2025, the US government under President Donald Trump withdrew from the Paris Agreement for the second time, joining Iran, Libya and Yemen as holdouts against a global climate accord. Not content with this display of proud independence, the Trump administration began dismantling its predecessor’s major achievements in climate law and policy, ending the Green New Deal, the electric vehicle mandate, and calculation of the “social cost of carbon.” Instead of leading the global effort to reduce emissions, US policy is aiming to ramp up the country’s fossil fuel production in the name of increasing consumer choice for Americans. On Easter Monday 2025, the cause of global environmentalism suffered another grave loss. Pope Francis, one of the most eloquent public voices urging a communal response to the climate crisis, died after months of illness. Among his papacy’s signature achievements was the 2015 encyclical, Laudato si’ (Praise be), urging care for Earth as “our common home.” Francis called on the global north to repay its “ecological debt” to the global south. Massive imbalances of extraction, consumption and pollution, he noted, had unduly burdened the poorer regions of the world. This message was not new, though it was unusual to hear such a detailed articulation of the case for climate justice from a northern source. A quarter century earlier, two then little known environmentalists from India, Anil Agarwal and Sunita Narain, made an ethical argument for a differentiated approach to greenhouse gas regulation based on the nature of the activities that produced the emissions. In their 1991 report, Global Warming in an Unequal World, Agarwal and Narain attacked the false equivalence between the “luxury emissions” of the rich, with their high-consumption lifestyles, and the ”subsistence emissions” of the poor, who were merely eking out a living doing necessary things. In time, Agarwal and Narain became prominent environmental leaders, known worldwide for their work, but the northern-dominated climate policy discourse never took up the moral implications of their 1991 report. Today, the talk of climate justice has veered toward recognizing the rights of nature. Today, the talk of climate justice has veered toward recognizing the rights of nature. It is more exciting to discuss the novel idea that a river or glacier or forest can have standing to sue than to harp on the shopworn theme that some countries and industries are more responsible for climate change than others. COP28 in 2023 operationalized a fund for climate-related loss and damage, but participants took pains to ensure that this did not mean an admission of legal liability or willingness to compensate. And the $750 million in initial pledges fell far short of the hundreds of billions in estimated damages from climate disruptions by the end of this decade. Since the first Earth Day, science, religion and social justice have spoken the same common truths, if in different voices. The Earth is one and finite. Humanity has put that common home at risk, to the point where the poor and vulnerable are defenseless against extreme events—floods, drought, wildfires—that are all but certain to upend their lives. These truths are self-evident, but what if power is deaf and cannot hear? In the United States, one man grew unimaginably rich from selling luxury electric cars to the small slice of humanity that could afford to feel good about how much they consume. Handed the keys to unlimited state power, this man demolished in a few weeks the small US government agency dedicated to helping the world’s poor. In Laudato si’ Pope Francis called this the “technocratic paradigm,” whose “ironclad logic” turns technology into profit for remarkably few hands. To break free, we need to recover the logic of nature and the soul of Earth Day, where “everything is interconnected, and this invites us to develop a spirituality of … global solidarity.” We need once again to feel, to care, and to mobilize.

Why is Delhi turning into a hot furnace at night? Know its terrible effect on people

Delhi has been reeling under severe heat wave. On Thursday, Delhi's minimum temperature was recorded at 25.7 degrees Celsius while on Friday it was 25.6 degrees Celsius. Earlier, there were also hot nights on April 9 and 10. Then the minimum temperature was recorded at 25.6 and 25.9 degrees Celsius. Experts say that high temperatures at night have a worse effect on health. High night temperatures are more harmful than day temperatures. Mitashi Singh, program manager at the Center for Science and Environment (CSE), said that high temperatures are not just caused by the weather. It is also caused by poor planning, lack of greenery, reduced water sources and waste management. Experts said that heat at night causes health as well as economic losses. According to a CSE report, India will lose 5.8% of working hours in 2030. This is equivalent to 34 million full-time jobs due to global warming. This means that people will be able to work less due to heat, which will cause economic loss to the country. Hot nights lead to the need to run ACs asrelease more heat. But that heat also releases, which leads to the need to run more ACs. This also increases the demand for electricity. But there are solutions to this. According to a report by the International Water Association, water sources and greenery help reduce heat. In June last year, the Safdarjung weather station recorded a temperature of 35.2 degrees Celsius. According to Dr Prasun Singh, Fellow at TERI's Centre for Climate Change Research, night temperatures in the city are still high, but people are not facing much discomfort due to low humidity. Dr Prasun Singh said, 'The temperature remains very high continuously during the day and there is no cooling, so the heat persists till the next day. Night heat is harmful, even more than day heat, because the body needs rest and the environment needs to be cool. The lower temperature at night gives rest to the body and we feel better.

1.4L electric vehicles fight over 763 public charging stations

Kolkata: Rapid growth in electric vehicle (EV) use notwithstanding, a critical gap in accessible, functional and well-publicised charging stations in Bengal threatens to derail Bengal's transition to e-mobility, shows a recent study by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE). According to data from the Central Electricity Authority, Union ministry of heavy industries and Bureau of Energy Eciency Currently, 1.43 lakh are registered in Bengal with 763 public charging stations. But more than 80% EV owners rely on private charging setups—either at home or at work—largely because of inadequate information on the location of charging stations and also, many of the facilities don't function. A planned mobile application by the state power department to map all public charging points has so far failed to materialise, compounding the problem. "My car's battery was down and I started looking for an EV charging station. When I managed to locate one, I found it was shut. At another spot, the plug point didn't match my vehicle's plug, " said Arindam Ghosh, an EV user. Another owner, Dipankar Mukherjee, echoed him: "Public charging stations are supposed to be like fuel pumps for conventional cars. If they don't function or can't be located, it's a disaster for long drives." To strengthen the EV infrastructure, the Union ministry of power revised its guidelines and standards in Sept 2024, ensuring a single-part EV tari for public chargers, capped at the average cost of supply (ACoS) till March 2028. While such policy measures aimed at improving aordability and accessibility, their impact remained limited unless ground-level infrastructure was made more visible and functional, the CSE report said Experts asserted that EVs were essential for reducing both greenhouse gas emissions and urban air pollution, particularly in megacities, such as Kolkata. Delaying EV adoption would be a missed opportunity to curb urban pollution, they pointed out. While Kolkata was seeing encouraging growth in EV numbers, especially in commercial and three-wheeler segments, the vision of a clean, electried transport system could stall in the absence of working and accessible, experts added. "The govt must include EV charging stations in the road signage. So far, there is none. The govt should also prepare a map, pointing out the locations of charging stations. I went to a charging station in New Town, where the tari was too high. There must be some regulation on the operators of the charging stations as well, " said Samik Dhar, an EV owner.

Citizen groups and experts discuss gaps in delhi air pollution control at rwa bhagidari conclave 2024

New Delhi: Citizen groups held an RWA Bhagidari Conclave 2024 on Saturday, discussing the issue of air pollution in the city and the gaps faced in implementing their control measures. The representatives of RWA held the conclave under URJAUnited Residents Joint Action along with experts from the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) and MCD, among others, to discuss the gaps in the implementation of measures taken under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP). "We discussed the state of aairs in Delhi aer the formation of the new govt led by Rekha Gupta, who is not showing any signs of working towards the most problematic issue of pollution that involves dust, emissions, waste management, congestion and mobility on roads, and city infrastructure, etc., and the role of citizen participation so far, " stated a statement from URJA. It stated that three demands were raised for the state govt, which include xing accountability on the pollution control measures and involving RWAs. "The state govt shall develop a mechanism and a model for the role of RWAs in Assembly and Ward Level Development that involves active citizen participation for structured democratic accountability, transparency, and ownership, " demanded RWAs. It pressed that the govt must recognise the RWAs by bringing a special RWA Act other than the Societies Registration Act of 1860 under which they are presently registered. "To meet the clean air standards, Delhi needs to accelerate stringent action to upscale public transport strategy and eet electrication, eliminate dirty fuels from all types of industries, achieve 100 per cent waste collection, segregation, processing for material recovery and remediation of legacy waste, and clean energy access in all low-income households. , " said Anumita Roychowdhury.