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Nightlife in Delhi: दिल्ली में नाइट लाइफ की राह आसान नहीं, क्या होंगे नाइट कल्चर के फायदे और नुकसान देखिए...

एलजी वी.के. सक्सेना ने दिल्ली की नाइटलाइफ को बढ़ावा देने की दिशा में एक बड़ी पहल करते हुए आवेदन करने वाले 300 से अधिक प्रतिष्ठानों को 24 घंटे अपना व्यवसाय चलाने की मंजूरी दी है। इनमें कुछ रेस्तरां, दवा की दुकानें और लॉजिस्टिक और ट्रांपोर्टेशन से जुड़े व्यवसाय शामिल हैं। पिछले साल जारी हुए राजधानी के ड्राफ्ट मास्टर प्लान-2041 में भी नाइटलाइफ का यह कॉन्सेप्ट पहली बार लाया गया था। माना जा रहा है कि उसी को लागू करवाने की दिशा में एलजी ने यह पहला कदम बढ़ाया है। हालांकि, एक्सपर्ट का मानना है कि दिल्ली में रात की अर्थव्यवस्था को बढ़ाने के लिए केवल इतने भर से काम नहीं चलेगा, बल्कि कुछ और मोर्चों पर भी काम करने की जरूरत पड़ेगी। खासकर रात में आने वाले कस्टमर्स और काम करने वाले कर्मचारियों की सुरक्षा, उनके लिए परिवहन के साधनों का इंतजाम और सड़कों पर पर्याप्त लाइटिंग की व्यवस्था भी करनी होगी। ड्राफ्ट मास्टर प्लान-2041 को लेकर डीडीए ने कहा है कि अगले साल अप्रैल तक यह फाइनल हो जाएगा। इसमें भी राजधानी में नाइट कल्चर को बढ़ावा देने के लिए कई कदम उठाए जा रहे हैं। ड्राफ्ट मास्टर प्लान-2041 में सांस्कृतिक परिसर, हैरिटेज एरिया, सेंट्रल बिजनेस डिस्ट्रिक्ट में नाइटलाइफ सर्किट बनाने की बात कही गई है। इसमें कहा गया है कि रेस्तरां व अन्य कमर्शल गतिविधियां राजधानी में 24 घंटे जारी रह सकेंगी और दिल्ली में भी लंदन, पैरिस, न्यूयॉर्क की तरफ सड़कों पर लोग नाइट लाइफ का लुत्फ उठा सकेंगे। एक्सपर्ट्स का कहना है कि पेंडिंग प्रस्तावों को एलजी के द्वारा मंजूरी देना और ड्राफ्ट मास्टर प्लान में नाइट लाइफ को शामिल करना अच्छा कदम है, लेकिन इसे लागू करने की एक खास प्लानिंग करनी होगी। मसलन, नाइटलाइफ को सफल बनाने के लिए अच्छा पब्लिक ट्रांसपोर्ट सिस्टम सबसे अधिक जरूरी है। लंदन, न्यूयॉर्क जैसे शहरों में नाइटलाइफ इसी वजह से सफल है। यहां 24 घंटे पब्लिक ट्रांसपोर्ट उपलब्ध रहता है। वहीं दिल्ली की बात करें, तो यहां ज्यादातर कॉरिडोर पर रात को 11 या 11.30 बजे के बाद मेट्रो सर्विस उपलब्ध नहीं हैं। बसें भी रात को आठ-नौ बजे के बाद काफी कम हो जाती हैं। ऑटो भी सीमित संख्या में चलते हैं। सीएसई (सेंटर फॉर साइंस एंड एनवायरनमेंट) की एग्जिक्यूटिव डायरेक्टर अनुमिता राय चौधरी का कहना है कि दिल्ली में नाइट लाइफ को बढ़ावा देने के लिए पब्लिक ट्रांसपोर्ट पर सबसे अधिक काम करने की जरूरत है। नाइटलाइफ के लिए अच्छा और भरोसेमंद पब्लिक ट्रांसपोर्ट सबसे अहम है। जब तक पब्लिक रात में खुद को सेफ महसूस नहीं करेगी, तब तक लोग बाहर नहीं निकलेंगे। अगर ऐसा नहीं हुआ, तो नाइट लाइफ का हिस्सा सिर्फ वही लोग बन पाएंगे, जिनके पास निजी गाड़ियां होंगी। इससे नाइट इकॉनमी बढ़ाने के सपने को साकार करने में भी रुकावट पैदा होगी। एक्सपर्ट्स के अनुसार, नाइटलाइफ में महिलाओं की भूमिका भी बेहद अहम है और महिलाएं तभी बाहर निकलेंगी, जब वे खुद को सुरक्षित महसूस करेंगी। इसके लिए सुरक्षा के बेहतर इंतजाम करने होंगे। साथ ही सड़कों पर पर्याप्त रोशनी और परिवहन के पर्याप्त और सुरक्षित साधनों की व्यवस्था भी करनी होगी। लास्ट माइल कनेक्टिविटी पर भी काफी काम करना पड़ेगा। इसके अलावा नाइट लाइफ में स्ट्रीट वेंडरों को भी शामिल किया जाना बेहद जरूरी है। दिल्ली की नाइट इकॉनमी में केवल महंगी गतिविधियां ही शामिल ना हों, बल्कि समाज का हर वर्ग उसका हिस्सा बन सके, इसको ध्यान में रखकर प्लानिंग करनी होगी। साथ ही यह भी सुनिश्चित करना होगा कि छोटे बड़े सभी तरह का व्यवसाय चलाने वालों को इसका लाभ मिल सके।

Why the Centre’s claim of distributing 9.49 crore LPG connections is only half the story

LPG was not used consistently by most beneficiary households due to the high cost of a cylinder refill. Experts have also faulted the calculation method. The Bharatiya Janata Party, the largest party of India’s central coalition government, last week claimed that 9.49 crore LPG, or liquefied petroleum gas, connections had been distributed countrywide so far under the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana, launched in May 2016. “PM Ujjwala Yojana is providing freedom from smoke to poor women,” the BJP’s tweet read in Hindi. The Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana aims to combat the adverse health impacts of cooking with traditional solid fuels like cow dung cakes, by helping poorer households transition to gas, which is a cleaner energy source for cooking, while increasing energy security for these households. Almost 9.5 crore gas connections have indeed been released under the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana scheme as of September 1, data from the scheme’s official website shows. However, though gas cylinder adoption has surged since the scheme was launched, LPG was not being used consistently by a majority of beneficiary households due to the high cost of cylinder refills, studies have shown. Experts say a faultily structured LPG subsidy system, under which the full cylinder price must be paid upfront and the subsidy is transferred later, is to blame. They also questioned the government’s methodology of calculating LPG connection coverage, given the use of outdated Census data. The government’s own health surveys show that more than half of rural India continues to rely on polluting solid fuels. Even as adequate cylinder refills remained beyond the reach of most Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana beneficiary households, the central government’s fund allocation to and expenditure incurred on LPG subsidies has declined significantly, our analysis shows. High price of gas cylinders Of the 9.3 crore LPG connections provided under Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana by the end of financial year 2021-’22, 5.4 crore customers (60%) had taken four or fewer cylinder refills in the entire year, according to FactChecker’s analysis of responses given in the Lok Sabha by the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas. Advertisement Around 1.08 crore (12%) took only one refill (including the installation refill provided by the government), and 0.92 crore (10%) did not take any refill at all, per a response by the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas on August 1. The average number of 14.2 kg cylinder refills a year for Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana households was three in 2018-’19, and remained below four in 2021-’22. A typical household using only LPG for cooking, whether in urban or rural India, would need at least seven cylinders a year to meet all its cooking energy needs, a 2020 study by the Council on Energy, Environment, and Water, a Delhi-based policy research non-profit, had found. Credit: FactChecker.in. In its August 1 response, the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas stated that “consumption of domestic LPG by households depends on several factors like food habits, household size, cooking habits, price, availability of alternate fuels etc”. But the high cost of gas cylinder refills is the biggest reason for low refills, experts told FactChecker. When the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana was launched in May 2016, the price of a standard non-subsidised 14.2 kg LPG cylinder in Delhi was Rs 527.5. This had doubled to Rs 1,053 by July 2022. Advertisement “Direct benefit transfer [DBT] rules require people to first refill their cylinders before receiving a subsidy. It is difficult for poor families to get the cylinder refilled from their own pocket and to wait for the subsidy amount in the future,” said Binit Das, Deputy Programme Manager for renewable energy at the Centre for Science and Environment, a New Delhi-based research and advocacy think tank. “It is better that the government spend the subsidy in advance than place the economic burden of clean fuel on the poor,” he added. Declining subsidy expense Even as the cost of cylinder refills remain beyond the reach of many Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana beneficiaries, there has been a significant reduction in the Union government’s LPG subsidy bill, beginning in the financial year 2020-’21. While the government spent an average Rs 28,281 crore a year on LPG subsidies from the financial years 2017-’18 to 2019-’20, it had spent Rs 11,896 crore in the financial year 2020-’21, a 58% reduction, according to the data provided by the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas. Even the Rs 11,896 crore expenditure, however, was due to a limited provision of three free LPG cylinder refills to Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana beneficiaries as part of the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana Covid-19 pandemic relief package, which cost the government Rs 8,162 crore. Advertisement The one-off nature of the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana expenditure in the financial year 2020-’21 is highlighted in the government’s subsequent spending on overall LPG subsidy in the financial year 2021-’22, which decreased to Rs 242 crore, a 99% reduction compared to the average of the previous four years. Credit: FactChecker.in. No subsidy has been paid on cooking gas since June 2020, Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas Secretary Pankaj Jain reportedly said in June 2022. In the financial year 2023, the government will provide a targeted subsidy of Rs 200 per 14.2 kg cylinder for upto 12 refills a year, only to Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana beneficiaries, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced in May 2022. A provision of Rs 800 crore has been made towards Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana in the Union Budget 2022-’23, which is almost half the revised estimate of Rs 1,618 crore in the previous Budget 2021-22. Advertisement The full picture Official estimates claim domestic LPG coverage has reached almost 100%, but Das told FactChecker that the calculation misses out certain key aspects. “The estimate was calculated by dividing the total number of packaged LPG connections equally by the number of households in the country, but neither is the assumption that LPG connections are distributed equally among households accurate – because a large number of households use multiple LPG connections and many of them divert the gas to commercial use, and nor is the estimated number of households accurate,” said Das. The number of households was extrapolated from India’s Census 2011 data, which experts have in the past told FactChecker are outdated and ineffective for assessing benefits-targeting policies. The Census 2021, delayed by the Covid-19 pandemic, is unlikely to be completed in 2022 either, IndiaSpend reported in June 2022. Rural households Almost three-fifths of India’s population – 58.6% – uses clean fuel including LPG/natural gas, biogas or electric sources for cooking, per data from the latest National Health and Family Survey-5, 2019–’21. This is a 15 percentage point increase from National Health and Family Survey-4 (2015–’16), but the disparity in clean fuel usage between urban and rural areas is stark. Nine out of every 10 urban households use clean fuel; but only four out of 10 rural households do so. Advertisement Thus, around 41% of all Indian households and 56% in rural areas still use some form of solid fuel such as wood, coal or dung cakes, for cooking. The central states of Jharkhand (67.8%) and Chhattisgarh (66.4%) have the most number of households still using solid fuel. Credit: FactChecker.in. While Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana’s implementation has seen a surge in LPG adoption, consistent use of gas cylinders has been tepid, according to an 18-month study of 58 poorer rural households in South India by Boston College researchers, published in February 2022. None of the surveyed households used LPG for more than 55% of their cooking time, the study found. A two-year Presidency University, Bengaluru-led study of cooking fuels used by 479 poorer households in three tribal-dominated Odisha districts, highlighted that less than half (43%) used LPG and only 26% used it as a primary cooking fuel. An Indian household using only solid fuels for cooking has an average 24-hour concentration of fine particulate matter of 2.5 microns (PM2.5) – which cause cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, and cancers – of 450 micrograms per cubic metre air (μg/m3) in the kitchen and 113 μg/m3 in the living areas, a multi-national study had estimated in 2013. To put these numbers into perspective, the World Health Organization’s recommended safe limit for PM2.5 particulate exposure during a 24-hour period is 15 μg/m3. FactChecker asked Pankaj Jain, Secretary Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, and Rasaal Dwivedi, Principal Secretary to the Union Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas minister, via email and telephone for clarifications and comment on barriers, including cost, to consistent use of LPG cylinders by Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana beneficiaries in light of reduced subsidy allocations. Advertisement We also asked them about the contrast between government data claiming increased LPG connections and government surveys showing widespread use of solid fuel in rural India. At the time of publishing, we had not yet received a response from them. We will update the story when we receive a response.

Restrictions go up in smoke as firecrackers’ sale continues in Delhi

A month after the Delhi government announced a ban on production, distribution, storage and sale of firecrackers, The Hindu found them being sold at several places in the Capital. Firecrackers were used in many parts of Delhi during Vijay Dashmi celebrations on October 5. The Delhi government had, on September 7, announced a complete ban on all types of firecrackers, including the green ones, till January 1, 2023, in view of the spike in the pollution levels in the city. This move was in continuation of the varying degrees of prohibitions imposed on firecrackers during the festival season over the last three years. And like all previous years, violations have continued this year too. The Hindu found firecrackers being sold clandestinely and openly, depending on the intensity and rate of the cracker, at multiple shops in Sadar Bazar, Jor Bagh and Jahangirpuri. This year, many sellers have created a list of firecrackers available with them on their smartphones and are ready to share their phone numbers too. Mobile list Upon entering Sadar Bazar — one of the largest wholesale markets in the city — many makeshift shops were spotted along the Qutub Road selling firecrackers with labels such as ‘green crackers’ or ‘pollution-free’. These are low-intensity firecrackers, which are supposedly “meant for children”. There were more than half a dozen such shops at Teliwara chowk in Sadar Bazar. On inquiry, random persons sitting by the roadside claimed to have a stock of “real” firecrackers, photos of which they showed on their smartphones while listing their respective prices. A box of ‘phuljhadi’ was priced at ₹450, a box of ‘anar’ at ₹1,200, a box of ‘bomb’ firecracker was being sold at ₹900 and its heavier variant at ₹1,100 a box, according to a list shared by a seller. “The rates of firecrackers have almost doubled this year. Still customers are ready to buy firecrackers wholesale from us and sell them at twice the profit. The prices will only go up in the coming days,” said the seller, standing barely 100 metres from the nearest Delhi Police checkpost. Another person assured that he had ample stock of firecrackers but he was selling them “directly from the godown” because of the ban. Both the sellers said could communicate over WhatsApp. In Jor Bagh, a grocery store owner, reaching for firecrackers beneath the counter, said, “We have puljhadi and anar. How much do you need?” At a nearby shop, low-intensity firecrackers such as ‘classic coloured sparkles’ and ‘wonder throw bomb’ were on display at the counter. Awareness needed “You can’t address the issue of the use of firecrackers with a command-and-control approach, as there is a cultural and social aspect to it,” said Anumita Roychowdhury, executive director of Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), a research and advocacy organisation in Delhi. “For a ban to succeed, you need very strong public support for which there has to be awareness on the health impact of emissions from firecrackers,” she said. Police action According to a senior police officer, they have seized 331 kg of firecrackers in the Capital from areas including Tilak Nagar, Delhi Cantt and Palam Village, since the announcement of the prohibition. The police are checking, verifying and collecting intelligence based on tip-offs received from neighbouring areas of Delhi, the senior officer added. “Initially, the firecrackers were smuggled to Delhi from Gurugram. As we increased vigilance to nab the culprits, the smugglers began using different routes to avoid getting caught. Based on tip-offs, we have increased deployment along those routes as well,” the officer said. On thoses who burst of firecrackers on Dasara, the officer said, “We have narrowed our list of violators and are in the process of zeroing-in on the suppliers.”

Delhi's AQI airing concerns

Taking serious note of the problem, the government last year decided to set up a commission for Air Quality Management in National Capital Region and adjoining areas. The soaring levels of air pollution during the winter season is a serious problem with which India's capital city — Delhi — grapples every year. Even though there are a number of reasons that add to the capital woes like vehicles, industries, power plants, waste burning etc, yet, the politicians have umpteen times blamed the farmers of neighbouring states of Punjab and Haryana for burning their crop residue. But the blame-game ain't the solution, stern action that guarantees a long-lasting solution was to be taken on the ground. Advertisement Ads by Taking serious note of the problem, the government last year decided to set up a commission for Air Quality Management in National Capital Region and adjoining areas. The statutory authority — the Commission for Air Quality Management in National Capital Region (NCR) and Adjoining Areas (CAQM) — has been the sole authority with jurisdiction over matters such as air quality management. Just a few days ago, as the pollution levels started increasing in the national capital, the CAQM immediately swung into action and issued statutory directions to strictly implement measures under the first stage of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP). Even the Delhi government is not behind and has bolstered its fight against pollution by launching a month-long intensive anti-dust campaign. This apart, the city government has also announced a Winter Action Plan under which a range of actions, from setting up a war room in the Delhi Secretariat to forming 586 teams to monitor the implementation of this campaign, has been done.So is there a hope that Delhi this time will see more coordinated action to tackle the menace of air pollution? Experts doubtful The smoke that emanates from the burning of paddy stubble in the neighbouring states contributes to almost 15 per cent of air pollution in Delhi. Experts say that the farm fires are yet to begin in Punjab and Haryana and it is too early to predict anything. "Farmers are yet to burn the crop residue. Moreover, the incessant rains in Delhi-NCR have already plummeted the air pollution levels. It will be too early to say that the city residents may get any kind of respite from the air pollution," said Avikal Somvanshi, Senior Programme Manager, Centre for Science and Environment. He said the rains may soon stop and pollution levels may soar during the month's end. On the steps taken by the government, Somvanshi said,"I don't see any dramatic or drastic action taken by the government. Even the Delhi government's 15-point action plan is similar to previous years." "The problem is that we get attentive only during the winter season when the pollution levels are at peak. The Graded Action Plan is an emergency plan but if we have to tackle the menace, we need to reduce the base pollution in Delhi by implementing the comprehensive action plan throughout the year," Somvanshi said."Delhi cannot control the pollution coming from neighbouring states but it can certainly reduce the base pollution that is generated within the city," the air pollution expert added. Story of smog towers After AQI levels escalated following the annual episode of stubble burning, the Supreme Court in 2020 instructed the Delhi government and the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) to erect two smog towers in the city. The Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay (IIT-B) got on board, by submitting a proposal to the CPCB. The smog towers under testing mode were to be installed at Anand Viharand Connaught Place by April 2020 but due to the subsequent lockdowns, the deadline was flouted. Finally, two smog towers came up in 2021. It was claimed that the towers can purify the air in a one-km radius around the structure, at a rate of around 1,000 cubic meters per second. Both towers, identical in shape and design, are functional since September 2021. So have the towers reduced pollution levels? India took the decision of installing smog towers following China’s footsteps, but experts say China is implementing strong pollution control rules across sectors, which India hasn’t. “These smog towers, which were first-of-their-kind, were installed as a research project and initially we were not able to attain its full efficiency in 2021,” Dr Anwar Ali Khan, senior environmental engineer at the Delhi Pollution Control Committee, said. He said that recently, IIT-Bombay has sent some recommendations on how to attain its full efficiency. "It was designed for 90 per cent filtration efficiency but we were able to get only 50-60 per cent efficiency during the peak pollution days, last year. Its efficiency depends upon several factors, including wind direction and wind speed," the senior official said. When asked about the recommendations, Dr Anwar said, "There were some technical gaps that had to be filled in. Like the smog towers should not be used during excess moisture in the air. So whenever there is rain, we now stop it immediately." “Secondly, we were told by the experts to maintain an absolute vacuum inside the tower which we were not doing initially. The whole corridor — the buffer zone — from filtration to fan-area should not have any bad air,” the official said. He said that the smog tower can clean the air within 300-400 meters of its reach. "This winter season will be the litmus test for the tower and we will check its efficiency as we have adopted the measures recommended by IIT-Bombay," Dr Anwar averred. Costing around Rs 25 lakh, each tower is having 4,800 filters (1,200 filters in one direction) that are supposed to be changed every 3-4 months. The reason behind the high cost of filters is they are being imported from the US. "Now we are planning to develop and manufacture these filters in India. IIT-Bombay is currently in talks with 3 vendors that will manufacture them in India. This will drastically reduce its cost," the official said. It has been predicted by IIT-Bombay that this year Delhi's smog tower will be able to achieve 80 per cent of its efficiency during the upcoming winter season. Bad air from neighbours Air pollution is hard to be mitigated since it is a multi-dimensional problem — industry, vehicular, biomass/waste burning, dust all contribute significantly, and each has its own political, regulatory, and technical challenges. What always remains the talk of the town is the burning of paddy straw by the farmers of neighbouring states and a blame game begins. As per the experts, Punjab and Haryana alone generate 30 million tonnes of paddy straw every year, of which only a small fraction is used. But still, the stubble contributes at least 15 per cent to the city's total air pollution. However, what is different this winter and giving hope to affected residents across the region is that instead of the annual inter-state political blame game, the Aam Aadmi Party-led governments, both in the states of Punjab and Delhi, can offer a coordinated solution to effectively tackle this problem. Last year, Punjab recorded 71,296 incidents of farm fires while on 37,302 sites no farm fire was observed. District Ferozepur topped the list with 6288 incidents, followed by Ludhiana, Moga, Patiala, and Sangrur. Solution for stubble? Rome was not built in a day and neither the stubble burning issue — which ultimately leads to the problem of air pollution — can be tackled in a short span of time. Mechanised farming — may be the first approach to tackle the problem and farmers can use a ‘Baler’ to clear their fields from the paddy straw. The Baler is an implement used as a tractor attachment to convert crop residue like hay, flax straws, etc. into bales that are later used for various purposes such as feeding animals, haylage, etc. Baler makes the crop residue easier to store and transport. The price of baler in India ranges from Rs 4-80 lakhs. To address air pollution and to subsidise machinery required for the management of crop residue, a Central Sector scheme on ‘Promotion of Agricultural Mechanisation for In-Situ Management of Crop Residue in Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and NCT of Delhi’ is being implemented from 2018-19. Under this scheme financial assistance at 50 per cent of the cost of machinery is provided to the farmers for the purchase of identified crop residue management machinery. The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) is also promoting biomass co-firing for the recovery of energy that promotes the setting up of biomass pellets and briquettes manufacturing units. This apart, Pusa Decomposer Technology developed by ICAR - Indian Agriculture Research Institute (IARI), is also being used by the farmers. Major mitigation needed Air pollution is hard to be mitigated since it is a multi-dimensional problem -- industry, vehicular, biomass/waste burning, dust all contribute significantly. Each has its own political, regulatory, and technical challenges Stubble burning Aam Aadmi Party-led governments, in Punjab and Delhi, can offer a coordinated solution to effectively tackle stubble burning Stubble burning contributes at least 15 per cent to Delhi’s total air pollution Rain delay blues Monsoon’s weak onset and delayed progress may put off the sowing of Kharif crop. This means a delayed harvest This delayed withdrawal of monsoon has leaves farmers with an even shorter window between harvest and sowing the next crop Now, farmers may be forced to adopt “harsher” ways of clearing fields of paddy straw 30 mn tonnes of paddy straw generated by Punjab and Haryana every year Few quick fixes Farmers already choosing decomposer technology over crop burning, but the volumes need to go up Mechanised farming, though a new approach to tackle crop burning, has seen the advent of one new implement making a foray in the market in India- the Baler Additionally, a Central scheme agricultural mechanisation also being implemented from 2018-19 Govt steps sufficient? Delhi government had ramped up anti-pollution response early on Govt this year announced Winter Action Plan — opens pollution war room, forms 586 teams to monitor implementation, besides launching intensive anti-dust campaigns Experts, however, fail to find anything dramatic or drastic in actions taken by the government. The 15-point action plan (aka Winter Action Plan) is similar to previous years, believe experts Smog towers Smog towers made its India debut in 2021 in the national capital On a pilot basis, the two smog towers are yet to attain full capacity IIT Bombay is in the process to rope in manufacturers for smog tower in India. The institute spearheads the smog tower project Have they helped curb pollution numbers? India took the decision of installing smog towers following China’s footsteps. However, China implements strong pollution control rules across sectors, which India hasn’t

Watch: 'Shortest film' in world with strong message to battle water crisis

The film uses a poetic style to convey a technical environmental solution that is frequently unreachable. Rainwater harvesting is the practice of collecting and storing rainwater without letting it run off. It has been utilised for thousands of years in South Asia and other parts of the world, making it one of the simplest means of providing water for households. Rainwater harvesting installations can be constructed to serve institutions like schools, hospitals, and other public facilities as well as households, neighbourhoods, and communities. The Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) created a short film on this topic to spread mass awareness. Though the film was originally uploaded on the YouTube channel of the CSE in 2014, climate activist Licypriya Kangujam recently once again shared it on her personal Twitter handle. The video was made as a public service advertisement which showcases how a lesson from the past can be a solution for the future. The idea behind the 37-second-long film is to capture rain in a neighbourhood to produce a cascading effect. People start to gather water in all kinds of things; whatever they can get their hands on. The message that rainwater harvesting is a collective effort and that it is about creating a sharing and caring society is delicately woven into the film using a mix of emotions, including astonishment, humour, and even the bizarre. Kangujam captioned the video, “This is the world’s shortest film. It lasts only 37 seconds. The director took only 30 minutes to produce it. But the message is amazing!” Since being shared, the exceptional idea to give such a strong message has touched the hearts of the viewers. It has received nearly 90,000 views and more than 5,000 users have liked it on Twitter so far.A person noted, “Single hand can become multiple hands” The short film is directed by award-winning director Nandita Das and is produced by Leapfrog. It uses a poetic style to convey a technical environmental solution that is frequently unreachable. Both viewers and critics have reacted enthusiastically to the commercial. The film bagged several prestigious awards including the Grand Prix in the Environfilms International Festival of Environmental Films 2006. It has received the ‘best film’ awards at the FICA Brazil 2005, Torino Film Festival, Czech Republic 2005 and the Vatavaran Film Festival New Delhi 2003.

Why clean air comes at a premium under a central plan to reduce pollution

The NCAP is a pollution control initiative aimed at reducing the concentration of particulate matter in the atmosphere by at least 20 per cent by 2024 Last month, the Delhi government announced a 15-point action plan to tackle air pollution during the winter months. Given the problem of stubble burning, one would expect states such as Punjab to spend more to curb air pollution in the cities. But a Business Standard analysis found that Punjab had only spent 11 per cent of the funds allocated to the state under the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP). The NCAP is a pollution control initiative aimed at reducing the concentration of particulate matter in the atmosphere by at least 20 per cent by 2024. It was launched in 2019, under the seven central ministries, the Central Pollution Control Board and NITI Aayog to fund air quality management for 102 cities across 23 states and Union Territories. Data was available for 117 of the 132 cities that come under the programme. Even though Punjab has one of the lowest utilisations under the programme, it cannot be considered an outlier. Analysis indicates that states utilised only half the funds allocated under the programme. States such as Chhattisgarh and Assam had a fund utilisation rate of 21 and 12 per cent, respectively. The two cities in Jammu and Kashmir had a utilisation rate of under 1 per cent. On the other end of the spectrum are Gujarat and West Bengal, which had 100 per cent utilisation, followed by Madhya Pradesh and Bihar. Twelve of the 21 states and UTs analysed had over 50 per cent utilisation. Moreover, fund utilisation is not just a problem in NCAP. It is a problem that persists for other clean air programmes as well. Analysis of data from Budgets shows that even though allocation to clean environment programmes has increased, fund utilisation has lagged. In some instances, both the allocation and utilisation have declined. Take the case of the Climate Change Action Plan (CCAP). The government allocated Rs 30 crore towards CCAP in the 2022-23 Budget and 2021-22 Budget, whereas allocation averaged Rs 40 crore each year between 2017-18 and 2020-21. Only 70 per cent of the allocation has been utilised for all the years. In the case of programmes for the control of pollution, the utilisation was 77 per cent. But even a higher utilisation may not indicate better air quality. An analysis by the Centre of Science and Environment (CSE) found that there was barely a difference between the particulate matter (PM2.5) emissions of the cities under NCAP and those outside the ambit. Only 14 of 43 cities registered a 10 per cent or more reduction between 2019 and 2021, according to the CSE study.

‘Stop setting things on fire’: nine great ideas to save the planet

Writers and activists including Thomas Piketty, Naomi Klein and Bill McKibben suggest positive steps we can take now Read Greta Thunberg on why we need to act now Sat 8 Oct 2022 09.00 BST Last modified on Sat 8 Oct 2022 18.34 BST 146 ‘Take the money out of politics’ Naomi Klein, author Naomi Klein Photograph: Adrienne Grunwald/The Guardian There is no one thing that would stop the planet’s warming – but what would make all kinds of other things possible is reining in the power of transnational capital over our governments. It is the power to financially reward (and punish) lawmakers, in various ways, that is the single biggest barrier to progress. We need to ban corporate campaign donations, direct and indirect, and we need to stop the revolving door between corporate lobbyists and lawmakers from spinning so a cushy job in the sector you are regulating isn’t an enticement to adopt pro-pollution policies. ‘Put out the sparks in cars and boats and buses’ Bill McKibben, environmentalist Bill McKibben Photograph: Graeme Robertson/The Guardian It’s now possible – and necessary – for human beings to end their 200,000-year-old habit of combustion. Flames served us well in prehistoric times, and made some of us rich during the Industrial Revolution. But now we need to stop setting things on fire, and rely instead on the fact that the good Lord put a large ball of burning gas 93m miles up in the sky, which we now have the wit to make full use of. Keep firing up joints and barbecues, but put out the sparks in kitchens, in furnaces, in powerplants, in the engines of cars and boats and buses. And do it fast. ‘Make healthcare green’ Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, director general of the World Health Organization Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus Photograph: Rex/Shutterstock The health sector deals with many of the consequences of climate change. At the same time, it is responsible for about 5% of carbon emissions, making it a significant contributor to climate change, while hundreds of millions of people are still served by hospitals and clinics without electricity. After Cop26 last year, 60 countries committed to making their health systems more climate resilient, and to lowering carbon emissions from healthcare. The WHO is calling on every country to make the same commitment, and to provide clean and reliable electricity to every health facility. ‘Shift to reusables’ Nina Schrank, senior campaigner, Greenpeace UK Nina Schrank, Campaigner for Greenpeace UK. Photograph: Will Rose/Greenpeace In our throwaway society, it feels as if we’re facing an avalanche of disposable plastic. One simple idea holds the key to turning this around: reuse. The practice was embedded for generations in so many cultures across the globe, yet the corporate world has made us forget those traditions and the value we place in objects that have taken natural resources and energy to produce. We need to shift to reusable packaging that stays in circulation – used, washed, reused and, crucially, out of the environment. The status quo simply isn’t working: we need to embrace the innovations that will allow reuse to flourish in the modern world. Advertisement ‘Tax the wealthy properly’ Thomas Piketty (pictured) and Lucas Chancel, economists Thomas Piketty Photograph: AFP/Getty Images To combat climate change we must massively invest to decarbonise our transport, energy and production systems: we need billions of euros for that, representing 2% of global GDP every year. The wealthy should pay their fair share of taxes to finance such efforts. This is all the more legitimate when we know that the wealthy contribute a disproportionate share to climate change. At the global level, 10% of the population contributes to about half of all emissions and there are also large pollution inequalities within each country. ‘Empower poor nations’ Sunita Narain, environmentalist Sunita Narain Photograph: AFP/Getty Images We can save the planet if we can save our common humanity. We have to move from being a divisive, deeply hateful and unequal society to one that truly understands the interdependence that our common future needs. We have for too long neutered the politics of inclusion and equality because we believed that environmentalism was about finding the next disruptive technology. This will not work. We need nimby – not in my back yard – not for the rich but for the very poor, so that they can say no to the next polluting project; so that communities and developing nations in the world can say no to the over-consumption that is driving our fossil fuel addiction. We need climate justice to be at the core of climate action. ‘Clean up public life’ Mike Berners-Lee, author Mike Berners-Lee Photograph: Alamy While the science and technology for saving the planet is challenging, it is not the bottleneck. But to deal with these complex systemic challenges requires high-quality, clear decision making. At the moment, that process is largely disabled by hidden agendas, dishonesty and greed. So my planet-saving idea is to cultivate and insist on much higher standards of honesty and compassion among our political and business decision-makers. Without it, nothing will work. ‘Rewild the planet’ Rebecca Wrigley, chief executive of Rewilding Britain, and George Monbiot, author Rebecca Wrigley, chief executive of Rewilding Britain Rewilding – the mass restoration of life on Earth – can mend not only our living systems but also our relationship with them. By allowing forests, wetlands, savannahs, reefs and other depleted ecosystems to return and regenerate, rewilding could simultaneously help stop the sixth great extinction and draw down much of the carbon we have released into the atmosphere. This positive environmentalism could be our best defence against despair. Advertisement ‘Give power back to the people’ Jacqueline Patterson, founder and executive director of the Chisholm Legacy Project Jacqui Patterson, founder and executive director of The Chisholm Legacy Project The US is one of the biggest polluters in the world. It also has a major influence on climate negotiations, which, up until now, has been obstructive, with corporate interests serving as puppet masters. A major shift in our global political and economic situation would be to de-link the outsized influence that corporations have over US legislatures, courts, regulatory systems, and therefore the amount of greenhouse gases the US emits domestically, as well as its influence over global negotiations and commitments from other nations. In sum, to achieve climate justice, we must ensure that power rests in the hands of the people. These nine writers are featured in The Climate Book created by Greta Thunberg is published on 27 October by Allen Lane (£25). To support the Guardian and Observer, buy your copy from guardianbookshop.com. Delivery charges may apply There can be no more hiding, and no more denying. Global heating is supercharging extreme weather at an astonishing speed, and it’s visible in India and beyond. Guardian analysis recently revealed how human-caused climate breakdown is accelerating the toll of extreme weather across the planet. People across the world are losing their lives and livelihoods due to more deadly and more frequent heatwaves, floods, wildfires and droughts triggered by the climate crisis. At the Guardian, we will not stop giving this life-altering issue the urgency and attention it demands. We have a huge global team of climate writers around the world and have recently appointed an extreme weather correspondent. Our editorial independence means we are free to write and publish journalism which prioritises the crisis. We can highlight the climate policy successes and failings of those who lead us in these challenging times. We have no shareholders and no billionaire owner, just the determination and passion to deliver high-impact global reporting, free from commercial or political influence. And we provide all this for free, for everyone to read. We do this because we believe in information equality. Greater numbers of people can keep track of the global events shaping our world, understand their impact on people and communities, and become inspired to take meaningful action. Millions can benefit from open access to quality, truthful news, regardless of their ability to pay for it.

Delhi Pollution: स्मॉग टावर से कितना घटा प्रदूषण? CPCB ने पेश किए आंकड़ें

200 मीटर की हवा के गुणवत्ता में कोई सुधार नहीं</strong><br> सेंटर फॉर साइंस एंड एनवायरनमेंट (CSE) के अर्बन लैब के सीनियर मैनेजर अविकल सोमवंशी कहते हैं कि इन आंकड़ों का कोई मतलब नहीं है.&nbsp;82 फुट ऊंचे इस स्मॉग टावर ने&nbsp;200 मीटर से अधिक हवा की गुणवत्ता में कोई सुधार नहीं किया.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> क्या है pm 2.5 के प्रदूषण स्तर के आंकड़ें सीपीसीबी के आंकड़ों के मुताबिक&nbsp;स्मॉग टॉवर ने पिछले साल दिसंबर में पीएम 2.5 के प्रदूषण&nbsp;स्तर को&nbsp;100 मीटर की दूरी पर 13 फीसदी, इस साल मार्च में 7 फीसदी और अप्रैल में 17 फीसदी तक कम कर दिया था. वहीं, नवंबर, जनवरी और फरवरी के लिए pm 2.5 के स्तर में 100 मीटर की कमी से संबंधित आंकड़े उपलब्ध नहीं थे. 50 मीटर के दायरे में नवंबर में pm 2.5 का प्रदूषण स्तर&nbsp;39 फीसदी, दिसंबर में 24 फीसदी, जनवरी में 22 फीसदी, मार्च में 10 फीसदी और अप्रैल में 23 फीसदी घटा.&nbsp;फरवरी और मई के आंकड़े उपलब्ध नहीं थे.</p>

Smog tower cut PM2.5 by 17%, PM10 by 27% in 100 m radius

The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data showed that the 82-feet-high smog tower at Anand Vihar reduced PM2.5 concentration by up to 17 per cent in a radius of 100 metres in the winter of 2021-22. The smog tower reduced PM10 pollution levels by up to 27 per cent at a distance of 100 metres during the period. The CPCB said while replying to an RTI. The smog tower will be used experimentally for two years. Based on the results, the Government will take a call on replicating the project in other parts of the city. Avikal Somvanshi, senior programme manager, Urban Lab, Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), termed the results "insignificant", saying it seems the giant air purifier did not lead to any improvement in air quality beyond 200 metres. The CPCB data showed the smog tower reduced PM2.5 levels at a distance of 100 metres by 13 per cent in December last year, 7 per cent in March this year and 17 per cent in April. The data pertaining to the decrease in PM2.5 levels at 100 metres for November, January and February was not available. In a radius of 50 metres, the PM2.5 concentration dropped by 39 per cent in November, 24 per cent in December, 22 per cent in January, 10 per cent in March and 23 per cent in April. The data for February and May was not available. PM2.5 are fine particles that are 2.5 microns or less in diameter and can travel deep into the respiratory tract, reaching the lungs and entering the bloodstream. Inaugurated in September last year, the smog tower brought the PM10 levels (at 100 metres) down by 27 per cent in December, 16 per cent in March, 23 per cent in April and 15 per cent in May. The CPCB could not share data for November, January and February. At a distance of 50 metres, the PM10 concentration reduced by 50 per cent in November, 41 per cent in December, 26 per cent in January, 21 per cent in March, 32 per cent in April and 13 per cent in May. "During winter, the monthly average of (PM10) at Anand Vihar is usually above 200 micrograms per cubic metre. The CPCB standard is 60 micrograms per cubic metre and the WHO standard is 15 micrograms per cubic metre. So, at least 70 per cent reduction is needed to meet the CPCB standard and over 90 per cent to meet the WHO norms," Somvanshi said. The smog tower has 40 fans and 5,000 filters developed by experts at University of Minnesota which also helped design a 100-metre-high smog tower in Xian, China. The Anand Vihar smog tower was constructed at a cost of Rs 13.59 crore. It is based on a downdraft airflow model. Its 40 huge fans suck air from the top of a special type of canopy structure and release clean air below.

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/sky-high-hopes-tempered-as-82ft-smog-tower-cut-pm2-5-by-just-17/articleshow/94690294.cms

EW DELHI: The 82-feet-high smog tower at Anand Vihar, inaugurated in September last year to clean the air in a 200-metre radius, only brought down the PM2.5 level by a maximum 17% within 100 metres of it during the 2021-22 winter. This fact was disclosed by the Central Pollution Control Board in response to an RTI query filed by RTI activist Amit Gupta. According to the data, the tower reduced PM2.5 pollutants by 13% in December, 7% in March this year and 17% in April around 100 metres of it. The data for November, January and February for 100 meters wasn’t provided. Within 50 metres range, the RTI stated, 39% of PM2.5 was reduced in November 2021, 22-24% in December 2021, 22% in January, 10% in March and 23% in April. Gupta had sought similar data for the smog tower at Baba Kharak Singh Marg, which was inaugurated by chief minister Arvind Kejriwal in August 2021, but didn’t receive it. The RTI response, however, stated that the tower was installed at a cost of over Rs 22.9 crore with an additional Rs 2.6 crore spent on maintenance and operation by Delhi government’s environment department. As for the tower at Anand Vihar, its construction cost was Rs 13.6 crore, with maintenance in the first year costing Rs 10.3 lakh per month and likely to rise to Rs 12.6 lakh per month in the second year starting October this year, or an annual bill of Rs 1.5 crore. Both towers were built by Tata Projects Limited. IIT-Bombay and IIT-Delhi are the data analysts, with Delhi Pollution Control Committee the nodal agency for the Kharak Singh Marg tower and CPCB for the one at Anand Vihar. Experts felt the result of the smog towers wasn’t commensurate with the funds spend on erecting them. “It’s not good at all. If within 100 metres of the tower, just 17% of the PM2.5 particles are reduced in March and 13% in December, this shows underperformance,” said Avikal Somvanshi, senior programme manager (Urban Lab), Centre for Science and Environment. “At Anand Vihar, the PM2.5 levels during winters hovers above 250 micrograms per cubic metre. To meet the national permissible limit of 60 micrograms or the WHO standard of 15, the smog tower must reduce the fine particles presence by 70-95%.” The smog tower also brought down the PM10 level at 100 metre by 27% in December 2021, 16% in March, 23% in April and 15% in May. Data for November 2021, January and February wasn’t shared in the RTI reply. IN 2019, the Supreme Court had asked the central and Delhi governments to construct the smog towers. They were to be used on an experimental basis for two years and based on the findings on their efficacy, more such towers were to be erected in other parts of the city. Gupta also said that more smog towers should be installed. “Delhi government has collected green cess of approximately Rs 100 crore till now and it could be used to put up more such towers, especially at the pollution hotspots in the city,” said the RTI activist.

Delhi govt begins drive to check construction site pollution

The government on Thursday started a month-long campaign to check dust pollution at construction sites in the city. NEW DELHI: The government on Thursday started a month-long campaign to check dust pollution at construction sites in the city. The drive, called the anti-dust campaign, is a part of the government’s 15-point charter of the Winter Action Plan and also one of the responses under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP). Environment Minister Gopal Rai said 586 teams from 12 government departments and agencies will monitor compliance with the pollution norms at under-construction sites. “These teams will conduct surprise inspections at construction sites to check whether they are complying with the pollution norms,” he informed. “According to the regulations, construction sites larger than 5,000 square meters (sqm) will need to set up one anti-smog gun, those larger than 10,000 sqm, two anti-smog guns, and sites larger than 15,000 sqm, three anti-smog guns,” Rai said. “Similarly, sites bigger than 20,000 sqm will have to engage four anti-smog guns to combat dust pollution,” he added. Rai said that out of 586 enforcement teams, 33 are from the Delhi Pollution Control Committee, 165 from the Department of Revenue, 300 from the Municipal Corporation of Delhi, 33 from the Delhi Development Authority, 14 from the Delhi Jal Board and six from the Public Works Department, among others. He also said that violators will be penalized with a fine ranging from Rs 5,000 to 5 lakh, depending on the severity of the violations. “It is compulsory for all construction sites to follow the 14 anti-dust norms. Strict action is to be taken against violators. On violation of anti-dust norms at construction sites, fines ranging from Rs 10,000 to Rs 5 lakh+ to be imposed by the government as per NGT guidelines,” Rai said. On 30 September, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal announced a 15-pointer Winter Action Plan (WAP) to fight the air pollution menace which gets worsened during winters. The anti-dust campaign is the third measure under the WAP. Earlier, the city government announced two measures—a 24X7 green war room to monitor WAP/GRAP compliance and ordering no refueling at gas stations to vehicles without valid Pollution under Control (PUC). There are 14-point guidelines that every construction company or agency will have to follow at its sites in the National Capital Region (NCR). Some of these norms are deploying anti-smog guns, covering construction sites with tin walls and tarpaulin sheets and not leaving construction material uncovered. The minister also appealed to Delhiites to actively participate in the fight against pollution. Smog tower cut 17% pollution last winter: CPCB NEW DELHI: The 82-feet-high smog tower at Anand Vihar reduced PM2.5 concentration by up to 17 per cent in a radius of 100 metres in the 2021-22 winter season, according to the Central Pollution Control Board data. The CPCB said the smog tower reduced PM10 pollution levels by up to 27 per cent at a distance of 100 metres during the period. Avikal Somvanshi, senior programme manager, Urban Lab, Centre for Science and Environment, termed the results “insignificant”, saying it seems the giant air purifier did not lead to any improvement in air quality beyond 200 metres. It reduced PM2.5 levels at a distance of 100 metres by 13 per cent in December last year, 7 per cent in March this year and 17 per cent in April.

Anand Vihar smog tower Just 17 pc reduction in PM2.5 pollution in 100-metre radius

The 82-feet-high smog tower at Anand Vihar reduced PM2.5 concentration by up to 17 per cent in a radius of 100 metres in the 2021-22 winter season, according to Central Pollution Control Board data. Replying to an RTI query filed by social activist Amit Gupta, the CPCB said the smog tower reduced PM10 pollution levels by up to 27 per cent at a distance of 100 metres during the period. Avikal Somvanshi, senior programme manager, Urban Lab, Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), termed the results "insignificant", saying it seems the giant air purifier did not lead to any improvement in air quality beyond 200 metres. The CPCB data showed the smog tower reduced PM2.5 levels at a distance of 100 metres by 13 per cent in December last year, 7 per cent in March this year and 17 per cent in April. The data pertaining to the decrease in PM2.5 levels at 100 metres for November, January and February was not available. In a radius of 50 metres, the PM2.5 concentration dropped by 39 per cent in November, 24 per cent in December, 22 per cent in January, 10 per cent in March and 23 per cent in April. The data for February and May was not available. PM2.5 are fine particles that are 2.5 microns or less in diameter and can travel deep into the respiratory tract, reaching the lungs and entering the bloodstream. Inaugurated in September last year, the smog tower brought the PM10 levels (at 100 metres) down by 27 per cent in December, 16 per cent in March, 23 per cent in April and 15 per cent in May. The CPCB could not share data for November, January and February. At a distance of 50 metres, the PM10 concentration reduced by 50 per cent in November, 41 per cent in December, 26 per cent in January, 21 per cent in March, 32 per cent in April and 13 per cent in May. "During winter, the monthly average of (PM10) at Anand Vihar is usually above 200 micrograms per cubic metre. The CPCB standard is 60 micrograms per cubic metre and the WHO standard is 15 micrograms per cubic metre. So, at least 70 per cent reduction is needed to meet the CPCB standard and over 90 per cent to meet the WHO norms," Somvanshi said. In 2019, the Supreme Court had asked the Centre to construct a smog tower at Anand Vihar and the Delhi government to install another at Connaught Place. Tata Projects Limited built the two smog towers. IIT-Bombay and IIT-Delhi have been tasked with analysing their data. The Anand Vihar smog tower was constructed at a cost of 13.59 crore. The smog tower has 40 fans and 5,000 filters developed by experts at University of Minnesota which also helped design a 100-metre-high smog tower in Xian, China. It is based on a downdraft airflow model. Its 40 huge fans suck air from the top of a special type of canopy structure and release clean air below. The smog tower will be used experimentally for two years. Based on the results, the government will take a call on replicating the project in other parts of the city. PTI GVS DIV

Anand Vihar smog tower: Just 17 pc reduction in PM2.5 pollution in 100-metre radius

The 82-feet-high smog tower at Anand Vihar reduced PM2.5 concentration by up to 17 per cent in a radius of 100 metres in the 2021-22 winter season, according to Central Pollution Control Board data. Replying to an RTI query filed by social activist Amit Gupta, the CPCB said the smog tower reduced PM10 pollution levels by up to 27 per cent at a distance of 100 metres during the period. Avikal Somvanshi, senior programme manager, Urban Lab, Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), termed the results “insignificant”, saying it seems the giant air purifier did not lead to any improvement in air quality beyond 200 metres. The CPCB data showed the smog tower reduced PM2.5 levels at a distance of 100 metres by 13 per cent in December last year, 7 per cent in March this year and 17 per cent in April. The data pertaining to the decrease in PM2.5 levels at 100 metres for November, January and February was not available. In a radius of 50 metres, the PM2.5 concentration dropped by 39 per cent in November, 24 per cent in December, 22 per cent in January, 10 per cent in March and 23 per cent in April. The data for February and May was not available. PM2.5 are fine particles that are 2.5 microns or less in diameter and can travel deep into the respiratory tract, reaching the lungs and entering the bloodstream. Inaugurated in September last year, the smog tower brought the PM10 levels (at 100 metres) down by 27 per cent in December, 16 per cent in March, 23 per cent in April and 15 per cent in May. The CPCB could not share data for November, January and February. At a distance of 50 metres, the PM10 concentration reduced by 50 per cent in November, 41 per cent in December, 26 per cent in January, 21 per cent in March, 32 per cent in April and 13 per cent in May. “During winter, the monthly average of (PM10) at Anand Vihar is usually above 200 micrograms per cubic metre. The CPCB standard is 60 micrograms per cubic metre and the WHO standard is 15 micrograms per cubic metre. So, at least 70 per cent reduction is needed to meet the CPCB standard and over 90 per cent to meet the WHO norms,” Somvanshi said. In 2019, the Supreme Court had asked the Centre to construct a smog tower at Anand Vihar and the Delhi government to install another at Connaught Place. Tata Projects Limited built the two smog towers. IIT-Bombay and IIT-Delhi have been tasked with analysing their data. The Anand Vihar smog tower was constructed at a cost of 13.59 crore. The smog tower has 40 fans and 5,000 filters developed by experts at University of Minnesota which also helped design a 100-metre-high smog tower in Xian, China. It is based on a downdraft airflow model. Its 40 huge fans suck air from the top of a special type of canopy structure and release clean air below. The smog tower will be used experimentally for two years. Based on the results, the government will take a call on replicating the project in other parts of the city. PTI GVS DIV DIV DIV

Anand Vihar smog tower: Just 17 pc reduction in PM2.5 pollution in 100-metre radius

The 82-feet-high smog tower at Anand Vihar reduced PM2.5 concentration by up to 17 per cent in a radius of 100 metres in the 2021-22 winter season, according to Central Pollution Control Board data. Replying to an RTI query filed by social activist Amit Gupta, the CPCB said the smog tower reduced PM10 pollution levels by up to 27 per cent at a distance of 100 metres during the period. Avikal Somvanshi, senior programme manager, Urban Lab, Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), termed the results "insignificant", saying it seems the giant air purifier did not lead to any improvement in air quality beyond 200 metres. The CPCB data showed the smog tower reduced PM2.5 levels at a distance of 100 metres by 13 per cent in December last year, 7 per cent in March this year and 17 per cent in April. The data pertaining to the decrease in PM2.5 levels at 100 metres for November, January and February was not available. In a radius of 50 metres, the PM2.5 concentration dropped by 39 per cent in November, 24 per cent in December, 22 per cent in January, 10 per cent in March and 23 per cent in April. The data for February and May was not available. PM2.5 are fine particles that are 2.5 microns or less in diameter and can travel deep into the respiratory tract, reaching the lungs and entering the bloodstream. Inaugurated in September last year, the smog tower brought the PM10 levels (at 100 metres) down by 27 per cent in December, 16 per cent in March, 23 per cent in April and 15 per cent in May. The CPCB could not share data for November, January and February. At a distance of 50 metres, the PM10 concentration reduced by 50 per cent in November, 41 per cent in December, 26 per cent in January, 21 per cent in March, 32 per cent in April and 13 per cent in May. "During winter, the monthly average of (PM10) at Anand Vihar is usually above 200 micrograms per cubic metre. The CPCB standard is 60 micrograms per cubic metre and the WHO standard is 15 micrograms per cubic metre. So, at least 70 per cent reduction is needed to meet the CPCB standard and over 90 per cent to meet the WHO norms," Somvanshi said. In 2019, the Supreme Court had asked the Centre to construct a smog tower at Anand Vihar and the Delhi government to install another at Connaught Place. Tata Projects Limited built the two smog towers. IIT-Bombay and IIT-Delhi have been tasked with analysing their data. The Anand Vihar smog tower was constructed at a cost of 13.59 crore. The smog tower has 40 fans and 5,000 filters developed by experts at University of Minnesota which also helped design a 100-metre-high smog tower in Xian, China. It is based on a downdraft airflow model. Its 40 huge fans suck air from the top of a special type of canopy structure and release clean air below. The smog tower will be used experimentally for two years. Based on the results, the government will take a call on replicating the project in other parts of the city. PTI GVS DIV DIV DIV

Anand Vihar smog tower: Just 17 pc reduction in PM2.5 pollution in 100-metre radius

The 82-feet-high smog tower at Anand Vihar reduced PM2.5 concentration by up to 17 per cent in a radius of 100 metres in the 2021-22 winter season, according to the Central Pollution Control Board data. Replying to an RTI query filed by social activist Amit Gupta, the CPCB said the smog tower reduced PM10 pollution levels by up to 27 per cent at a distance of 100 metres during the period. Avikal Somvanshi, senior programme manager, Urban Lab, Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), termed the results ''insignificant'', saying it seems the giant air purifier did not lead to any improvement in air quality beyond 200 metres. The CPCB data showed the smog tower reduced PM2.5 levels at a distance of 100 metres by 13 per cent in December last year, 7 per cent in March this year and 17 per cent in April. The data pertaining to the decrease in PM2.5 levels at 100 metres for November, January and February was not available. In a radius of 50 metres, the PM2.5 concentration dropped by 39 per cent in November, 24 per cent in December, 22 per cent in January, 10 per cent in March and 23 per cent in April. The data for February and May was not available. PM2.5 are fine particles that are 2.5 microns or less in diameter and can travel deep into the respiratory tract, reaching the lungs and entering the bloodstream. Inaugurated in September last year, the smog tower brought the PM10 levels (at 100 metres) down by 27 per cent in December, 16 per cent in March, 23 per cent in April and 15 per cent in May. The CPCB could not share data for November, January and February. At a distance of 50 metres, the PM10 concentration reduced by 50 per cent in November, 41 per cent in December, 26 per cent in January, 21 per cent in March, 32 per cent in April and 13 per cent in May. ''During winter, the monthly average of (PM10) at Anand Vihar is usually above 200 micrograms per cubic metre. The CPCB standard is 60 micrograms per cubic metre and the WHO standard is 15 micrograms per cubic metre. So, at least 70 per cent reduction is needed to meet the CPCB standard and over 90 per cent to meet the WHO norms,'' Somvanshi said. In 2019, the Supreme Court had asked the Centre to construct a smog tower at Anand Vihar and the Delhi government to install another at Connaught Place. Tata Projects Limited built the two smog towers. IIT-Bombay and IIT-Delhi have been tasked with analysing their data. The Anand Vihar smog tower was constructed at a cost of 13.59 crore. The smog tower has 40 fans and 5,000 filters developed by experts at University of Minnesota which also helped design a 100-metre-high smog tower in Xian, China. It is based on a downdraft airflow model. Its 40 huge fans suck air from the top of a special type of canopy structure and release clean air below. The smog tower will be used experimentally for two years. Based on the results, the government will take a call on replicating the project in other parts of the city. (This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)