A new study by Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) has revealed that Ground-level ozone pollution is on the rise across India’s major cities. Ozone Ozone About: Ozone is a variant of oxygen composed of three oxygen atoms. Location: It occurs both in the Earth’s upper atmosphere and at ground level. Good or Bad Ozone: Ozone can be good or bad, depending on where it is found. Stratospheric Ozone: In the stratosphere, it forms a layer that protects us from the sun’s ultraviolet rays.
Context: A recently released report from the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) has highlighted a troubling increase in ground-level ozone pollution across urban India. More on the News: The report titled Air Quality Tracker: An Invisible Threat reveals that cities like Delhi-NCR are experiencing alarming levels of ozone exceedances, posing significant health risks to residents. The researchers analyzed trends from April 1 to July 18 for the years 2020 to 2024, using granular, real-time data (15-minute averages) from the Central Pollution Control Board. Key Highlights: Ozone Pollution Trends in Major Cities: The researchers analysed metropolitan areas of Bengaluru, Chennai, Kolkata, Mumbai and Pune. They also looked at the data for Delhi, Ahmedabad, Hyderabad, Jaipur and Lucknow. The study indicate that all cities monitored exceeded national ozone standards, with Delhi-NCR recording the highest number of exceedance days—176. Other cities like Mumbai and Pune followed closely with 138 days, while Chennai had the fewest at just nine days. Notably, ozone levels were elevated even during nighttime, particularly in Mumbai, raising concerns about prolonged exposure to this harmful pollutant.
A recently released report from the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) has highlighted a troubling increase in ground-level ozone pollution across urban India. More on the News: The report titled Air Quality Tracker: An Invisible Threat reveals that cities like Delhi-NCR are experiencing alarming levels of ozone exceedances, posing significant health risks to residents. The researchers analyzed trends from April 1 to July 18 for the years 2020 to 2024, using granular, real-time data (15-minute averages) from the Central Pollution Control Board.
The Pradhan Mantri Kissan Urja Evam Utthaan Mahabhiyaan (PM KUSUM scheme), introduced in 2019, has a commendable objective: that of solarising agriculture in India. But in the six years since its inception, the scheme has achieved only about 30 per cent of its targets. With its deadline year – 2026 – approaching fast, will it be able to cover the remaining ground? A new report by Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), which focuses on gathering data and information especially from the perspective of farmers on on-ground implementation of the scheme, has offered a roadmap to help PM-KUSUM strike its targets. The report, titled Implementation Challenges of the PM KUSUM Scheme: Case Studies from Selected Indian States, was released here today at a webinar organised by CSE. Speaking in the webinar, Nivit Kumar Yadav, programme director, industrial pollution and renewable energy, CSE, said: “Our report outlines findings from surveys conducted by CSE in the states of Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh. With climate change exerting increasing impacts and at scale, it has become all the more critical to invest in sustainable practices, especially in important sectors like agriculture. In such a scenario, schemes like PM-KUSUM can drive India’s climate action – but only if implemented with care and caution.” The scheme is divided into three components, focusing on (A) installation of mini grids on barren lands, (B) installation of off-grid solar water pumps to replace diesel water pumps, and (C) installation of on-grid solar water pumps to replace electric water pumps and installation of mini-grids for agriculture feeder solarization. Most of the implementation has taken place under component B, with Haryana, Rajasthan, Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh are among the top performing states. Components A and C have seen minimal implementation. The CSE report finds that farmers who have opted for solar water pumps are satisfied as it has enabled them to irrigate their fields during the day. It recounts the testimony of a beneficiary of the PM-KUSUM scheme from Aterna village in Sonipat district of Haryana, who says: “The solar water pump has eased farming activities. We used to get agricultural electricity supply on the basis of a time table set by the state implementing agencies, who would also set the timings during night hours in some weeks. Irrigation of land at night is inconvenient for us farmers. The addition of a solar water pump on our land has meant that we now have the freedom to irrigate our lands during the day without the threat of power cuts.” Farmers who have moved from diesel or electric pumps to solar-powered pumps have found it profitable, but only if the pumps they have installed are of the correct size — farmers in Haryana, says the report, are saving up to Rs 55,000 per year after shifting from diesel water pumps to solar variants. One of the principal challenges that the scheme has faced in its implementation has been the availability of cheap electricity for farmers. However, this cheap electricity has its flip side – it leads to increases in a state’s subsidy burden. This access to cheap electricity leads to a lack of incentive for farmers to shift from electric water pumps to solar water pumps. Farmers are often forced to opt for pump sizes that are bigger than needed for their land. According to Dr Debajit Palit, professor of energy at the NTPC School of Business in Noida and a panelist at the CSE webinar, the scheme needs to be tailored as per farmers’ requirements so that it proves financially viable for them. Said Dr Palit: “If pump sizes are based on the land size and water requirements of different areas, rather than keeping them uniform throughout the country, farmers could avoid the extra expenditure.” Another challenge is the centralisation of the implementation model in some states. In Punjab, the report notes, the scheme’s implementation is overseen by the Punjab Renewable Energy Development Agency, as opposed to Rajasthan, where each component of the scheme has a different implementing agency. Yadav says that to truly realise the potential of the PM-KUSUM scheme, a decentralised model is important. “State implementing agencies with the necessary knowledge about each component should be responsible for the components that are under their expertise.” The report has recommended the following measures to accelerate the implementation of the PM KUSUM scheme in the coming years: Increase in Central financial assistance: This assistance could be hiked, subject to different states’ needs or prices of solar modules. Prices of modules after Covid-19 increased, leading to a rise in upfront costs to be paid by farmers as well. Decentralisation: A decentralised implementation model is needed. Implementing agencies with on-ground knowledge of farmer demographics and needs are able to cater to farmers’ needs more effectively. Financial viability: Farmers should get the option to pay upfront costs in installments in order to make the scheme financially more viable for them.
Delhi saw 176 days in summer 2024, between 1 April and 18 July, where ground ozone levels exceeded national air quality standards, according to a new report by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), a New Delhi-based think tank. Released Tuesday, the CSE report on ground-level ozone is based on a nationwide analysis which found that 10 metropolitan cities saw an increase in daily maximum levels of ozone between 2020 and 2024. The report found that ozone levels also increased in non-metropolitan areas compared to last year, and persisted beyond summer months which, it said, was a concerning trend. Ozone pollution is a very specific phenomenon — the presence of the gas in the stratosphere is considered healthy, but ground-level ozone causes health issues for humans. The CSE report explained how ground-level ozone is not released by a particular source, but forms through the “complex interaction between nitrogen oxides (NOx) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs)”, thereby making it difficult to both track and mitigate ground-level ozone. VOCs like benzene, formaldehyde and ethanol are produced by various sources including industries, vehicles, air fresheners and even some plants and trees. “Ground-level ozone, a highly reactive gas, has serious health consequences. Those with respiratory conditions, asthma, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease — as well as children with premature lungs and older adults — are at serious risk. This can inflame and damage airways, make lungs susceptible to infection, aggravate asthma, emphysema, and chronic bronchitis, and increase the frequency of asthma attacks leading to increased hospitalizations,” Anumita Roychowdhury, executive director, research and advocacy, CSE, said in a press release. The report also found that between April and July this year, Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Lucknow, Kolkata, Pune, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Chennai and Jaipur recorded more than 100 days of ground-level ozone exceeding the national ambient air quality standards set by India.
The summer of this year saw a spike in ground-level ozone in the air in ten Indian metropolitan centres, with Delhi being the most affected, according to an report by the Centre for Science and Environment. Delhi-NCR has so far exceeded the study period by 176 days, with Mumbai and Pune following closely behind with 138 days.
The Centre for Science and Environment report mentioned a significant rise in ground-level ozone in Delhi's air. Among the ten other metropolitan cities witnessing an increase in ground-level ozone, Delhi is the most impacted. Ground-level ozone, is a highly reactive gas and has serious health consequences. Read more to know the details of the report. The Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) report indicated a significant rise in groundlevel ozone in Delhi's air. Among the ten other metropolitan cities that are experiencing an increase in ground-level ozone, Delhi is the worst affected. According to the report, Delhi-NCR recorded 176 days of exceedance, followed by Mumbai and Pune with 138 days each. Anumita Roychowdhary, executive director of research and advocacy at CSE, informed that ground-level ozone, a highly reactive gas, has serious health consequences. She added that people with respiratory conditions, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, children with premature lungs, and older adults can face serious risks. "The gas can inflame and damage airways, make lungs susceptible to infection, aggravate asthma, emphysema, and chronic bronchitis, and increase the frequency of asthma attacks," said Anumita. Moreover, the CSE report said that ground-level ozone usually exceeds the safety standard on all days of summer in some locations in Delhi-NCR every year. It stated that this year the number of stations exceeding the standard across the core areas in NCR has been 17.6, the highest in the last five years. However, in previous summers, only 9.4 stations It mentioned that ground-level ozone should ideally be negligible in the night air, but all 10 metropolitan areas witnessed a rare phenomenon of elevated ozone levels after sunset. The report considered ozone in excess when the hourly concentration exceeded 100 micrograms per cubic meter between 10 pm and 2 am at any station. Furthermore, Mumbai-MMR reported the most cases of nighttime ground-level ozone with 171 nights of exceedance, followed by Delhi-NCR (161) and Pune (131).
A new report by Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), which focuses on gathering data and information especially from the perspective of farmers on onground implementation of the scheme, has offered a roadmap to help PM-KUSUM strike its targets. The report, titled Implementation Challenges of the PM KUSUM Scheme: Case Studies from Selected Indian States, was released here today at a webinar organised by CSE. Speaking in the report launch, Nivit Kumar Yadav, programme director, industrial pollution and renewable energy, CSE, said: “Our report outlines findings from surveys conducted by CSE in the states of Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh. With climate change exerting increasing impacts and at scale, it has become all the more critical to invest in sustainable practices, especially in important sectors like agriculture. In such a scenario, schemes like PM-KUSUM can drive India’s climate action – but only if implemented with care and caution.” The scheme is divided into three components, focusing on (A) installation of mini grids on barren lands, (B) installation of off-grid solar water pumps to replace diesel water pumps, and (C) installation of on-grid solar water pumps to replace electric water pumps and installation of mini-grids for agriculture feeder solarization. Most of the implementation has taken place under component B, with Haryana, Rajasthan, Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh are among the top performing states. Components A and C have seen minimal implementation. The CSE report (https://www.cseindia.org/implementation-challenges-of-the-pmkusum-scheme-12284) finds that farmers who have opted for solar water pumps are satisfied as it has enabled them to irrigate their fields during the day. It recounts the testimony of a beneficiary of the PM-KUSUM scheme from Aterna village in Sonipat district of Haryana, who says: “The solar water pump has eased farming activities. We used to get agricultural electricity supply on the basis of a time table set by the state implementing agencies, who would also set the timings during night hours in some weeks. Irrigation of land at night is inconvenient for us farmers. The addition of a solar water pump on our land has meant that we now have the freedom to irrigate our lands during the day without the threat of power cuts.” Farmers who have moved from diesel or electric pumps to solar-powered pumps have found it profitable, but only if the pumps they have installed are of the correct size — farmers in Haryana, says the report, are saving up to Rs 55,000 per year after shifting from diesel water pumps to solar variants. One of the principal challenges that the scheme has faced in its implementation has been the availability of cheap electricity for farmers. However, this cheap electricity has its flip side – it leads to increases in a state’s subsidy burden. This access to cheap electricity leads to a lack of incentive for farmers to shift from electric water pumps to solar water pumps. Farmers are often forced to opt for pump sizes that are bigger than needed for their land. According to Dr Debajit Palit, professor of energy at the NTPC School of Business in Noida and a panelist at the CSE webinar, the scheme needs to be tailored as per farmers’ requirements so that it proves financially viable for them. Said Dr Palit: “If pump sizes are based on the land size and water requirements of different areas, rather than keeping them uniform throughout the country, farmers could avoid the extra expenditure.” Another challenge is the centralisation of the implementation model in some states. In Punjab, the report notes, the scheme’s implementation is overseen by the Punjab Renewable Energy Development Agency, as opposed to Rajasthan, where each component of the scheme has a different implementing agency. Yadav says that to truly realise the potential of the PM-KUSUM scheme, a decentralised model is important. “State implementing agencies with the necessary knowledge about each component should be responsible for the components that are under their expertise
The PM KUSUM scheme, which aims to promote solar energy in agriculture in India, has achieved only 30 per cent of its targets, according to a new report. Launched in 2019, the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan (PM KUSUM) scheme's goal is to help farmers switch to solar power, making farming more sustainable and reducing dependence on traditional energy sources. The report by the think tank Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) outlines findings from surveys conducted in Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan, and Chhattisgarh and says the scheme has achieved only 30 per cent of its targets after six years, with the 2026 deadline fast approaching. "As climate change continues to have increasingly widespread impacts, it is more critical than ever to invest in sustainable practices, especially in key sectors like agriculture," said Nivit Kumar Yadav, programme director for industrial pollution and renewable energy at CSE. "In this context, schemes like PM KUSUM can significantly advance India's climate action efforts, but only if implemented with care and precision," he said. The scheme is divided into three parts: Component A - installing mini-grids on unused lands, Component B - replacing diesel water pumps with off-grid solar pumps and Component C - replacing electric water pumps with on-grid solar pumps and installing mini-grids for agricultural solarization. The CSE said that progress has been slow, with most efforts focused on Component B. States like Haryana, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, and Uttar Pradesh are leading in implementation, while Components A and C have seen minimal progress. Farmers who have switched to solar water pumps are happy as these allow daytime irrigation and eliminate inconvenient night-time schedules and power cuts. For example, a farmer from Aterna village in Haryana praised the scheme for making farming activities easier and more efficient. Farmers who switched from diesel to solar pumps save significantly, with some farmers in Haryana saving up to Rs 55,000 annually. According to the CSE, one of the principal challenges the scheme faces is the availability of cheap electricity for farmers, which diminishes the incentive to shift from electric water pumps to solar water pumps. Also, farmers are often forced to opt for pump sizes larger than needed for their land. Debajit Palit, professor of energy at the NTPC School of Business in Noida, said the scheme needs to be tailored to meet farmers' specific requirements to be financially viable. If pump sizes are based on the land size and water requirements of different areas, rather than being kept uniform throughout the country, farmers could avoid the extra expenditure, he said. Another challenge is the centralisation of the implementation model in some states. In Punjab, the CSE report said, the scheme's implementation is overseen by the Punjab Renewable Energy Development Agency, in contrast to Rajasthan, where each component has a different implementing agency. Yadav said that a decentralised model is important to truly realise the potential of the PM KUSUM scheme. State implementing agencies with the necessary knowledge about each component should be responsible for the components within their expertise, he said. The CSE suggested that farmers should be allowed to pay for solar pumps in instalments, which will make it financially more viable for them. The central government should increase financial support to states, especially to cover the rising costs of solar modules post-Covid, it said.
The report by the think tank Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) outlines findings from surveys conducted in Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan, and Chhattisgarh and says the scheme has achieved only 30 per cent of its targets after six years, with the ...
Shivapura in Peenya and Kasturi Nagar are the most chronically affected by ground ozone pollution in Bengaluru. While Kasturi Nagar exceeded the prescribed standards of this air pollutant on 49 days this year, ozone pollution was high in Shivapura Peenya on 13 days. Jayanagar, Bapuji Nagar, and Silk Board recorded the least instances of ground-level ozone These observations are made in an assessment conducted on air quality data from 14 Continuous Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Systems (CAAQMS) in the city by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), New Delhi. The report by CSE also highlights that in the summer of 2024 (between April 1 and July 18); the ground-level ozone exceeded the prescribed limit for 13 days across the city. The worst day of ground ozone pollution was on April 2 when 2 out of 14 stations recorded higher levels. As per the assessment, ground-level ozone has become a year-long problem in the city. The report underlines that even though the groundlevel ozone exceedance is the worst during summer, a few locations continue to record exceedance throughout the year. While the dangerous build-up of ground-level ozone can happen anytime during the year, it is usually in small pockets during non-summer months. For it to have a wider spatial spread, hot and sunny weather conditions are needed which are generally present in the city throughout the year outside monsoon. Researchers through the report have highlighted that ground ozone pollution in Bengaluru is at its worst during January-March. Exceedances go down from May onwards and then there is a considerable uptick in ozone pollution after monsoon – especially November-December. Last year higher levels of ozone were reported on 67 days, they were 12 days in 2022, 48 days in 2021, and 61 days in 2020. This year so far 59 days of exceedance have been recorded in Bengaluru. The analysis also shows that compared to April of 2020 ground-level ozone hourly peak on average has gone down by 20 percent The reemergence of morning and evening rush-hour traffic is helping in
NEW DELHI: The PM KUSUM scheme, which aims agriculture in India, has achieved only 30 per cent report. Launched in 2019, the Pradhan Mantri Kisa Mahabhiyan (PM KUSUM) scheme's goal is to help making farming more sustainable and reducing de sources. The report by the think tank Centre for Science and findings from surveys conducted in Haryana, Punja and says the scheme has achieved only 30 per cent with the 2026 deadline fast approaching. "As climate change continues to have increasingly widespread impacts, it is more critical sustainable practices, especially in key sectors like agriculture," said Nivit KumarYadav, industrial pollution and renewable energy at CSE. "In this context, schemes like PM KUSUM can significantly advance India's climate actio implemented with care and precision," he said. The scheme is divided into three parts: Component A - installing mini-grids on unused la diesel water pumps with off-grid solar pumps and Component C - replacing electric water pumps and installing mini-grids for agricultural solarization. The CSE said that progress has been slow, with most efforts focused on Component B. Sta Maharashtra, and Uttar Pradesh are leading in implementation, while Components A and Farmers who have switched to solar water pumps are happy as these allow daytime irriga inconvenient night-time schedules and power cuts. For example, a farmer from Aterna village in Haryana praised the scheme for making farm efficient. Farmers who switched from diesel to solar pumps save significantly, with some farmers in 55,000 annually. 8/8/24, 11:57 AM PM KUSUM scheme faces implementation hurdles, only 30% targets met as deadline nears: Report - The Economic Times https://economictimes.indiatime
The Pradhan Mantri Kissan Urja Evam Utthaan Mahabhiyaan (PM KUSUM scheme), introduced in 2019, has a commendable objective: that of solarising agriculture in India. But in the six years since its inception, the scheme has achieved only about 30 per cent of its targets. With its deadline year – 2026 – approaching fast, will it be able to cover the remaining ground? A new report by Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), which focuses on gathering data and information especially from the perspective of farmers on on-ground implementation of the scheme, has offered a roadmap to help PM-KUSUM strike its targets. The report, titled Implementation Challenges of the PM KUSUM Scheme: Case Studies from Selected Indian States, was released here today at a webinar organised by CSE. Speaking in the webinar, Nivit Kumar Yadav, programme director, industrial pollution and renewable energy, CSE, said: “Our report outlines findings from surveys conducted by CSE in the states of Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh. With climate change exerting increasing impacts and at scale, it has become all the more critical to invest in sustainable practices, especially in important sectors like agriculture. In such a scenario, schemes like PM-KUSUM can drive India’s climate action – but only if implemented with care and caution.” The scheme is divided into three components, focusing on (A) installation of mini grids on barren lands, (B) installation of off-grid solar water pumps to replace diesel water pumps, and (C) installation of on-grid solar water pumps to replace electric water pumps and installation of mini-grids for agriculture feeder solarization. Most of the implementation has taken place under component B, with Haryana, Rajasthan, Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh are among the top performing states. Components A and C have seen minimal implementation. The CSE report finds that farmers who have opted for solar water pumps are satisfied as it has enabled them to irrigate their fields during the day. It recounts the testimony of a beneficiary of the PM-KUSUM scheme from Aterna village in Sonipat district of Haryana, who says: “The solar water pump has eased farming activities. We used to get agricultural electricity supply on the basis of a time table set by the state implementing agencies, who would also set the timings during night hours in some weeks. Irrigation of land at night is inconvenient for us farmers. The addition of a solar water pump on our land has meant that we now have the freedom to irrigate our lands during the day without the threat of power cuts.” Farmers who have moved from diesel or electric pumps to solar-powered pumps have found it profitable, but only if the pumps they have installed are of the correct size — farmers in Haryana, says the report, are saving up to Rs 55,000 per year after shifting from diesel water pumps to solar variants. One of the principal challenges that the scheme has faced in its implementation has been the availability of cheap electricity for farmers. However, this cheap electricity has its flip side – it leads to increases in a state’s subsidy burden. This access to cheap electricity leads to a lack of incentive for farmers to shift from electric water pumps to solar water pumps. Farmers are often forced to opt for pump sizes that are bigger than needed for their land. According to Dr Debajit Palit, professor of energy at the NTPC School of Business in Noida and a panelist at the CSE webinar, the scheme needs to be tailored as per farmers’ requirements so that it proves financially viable for them. Said Dr Palit: “If pump sizes are based on the land size and water requirements of different areas, rather than keeping them uniform throughout the country, farmers could avoid the extra expenditure.” Another challenge is the centralisation of the implementation model in some states. In Punjab, the report notes, the scheme’s implementation is overseen by the Punjab Renewable Energy Development Agency, as opposed to Rajasthan, where each component of the scheme has a different implementing agency. Yadav says that to truly realise the potential of the PM-KUSUM scheme, a decentralised model is important. “State implementing agencies with the necessary knowledge about each component should be responsible for the components that are under their expertise.” The report has recommended the following measures to accelerate the implementation of the PM KUSUM scheme in the coming years: Decentralisation: A decentralised implementation model is needed. Implementing agencies with on-ground knowledge of farmer demographics and needs are able to cater to farmers’ needs more effectively. Financial viability: Farmers should get the option to pay upfront costs in installments in order to make the scheme financially more viable for them. Increase in Central financial assistance: This assistance could be hiked, subject to different states’ needs or prices of solar modules. Prices of modules after Covid-19 increased, leading to a rise in upfront costs to be paid by farmers as well.