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Delhi chokes on ‘Severe plus’ AQI: Smog engulfs city, low visibility; key points

Delhi-NCR woke up on Sunday under a dense blanket of toxic smog, with visibility dropping sharply and the air quality plunging to the most hazardous levels recorded this year. According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the Air Quality Index (AQI) touched an alarming 491 at 7 am, placing it firmly in the ‘severe plus’ category. A thick layer of smog blanketed the city, causing discomfort to commuters and severely impairing visibility in several areas. All 40 air quality monitoring stations across Delhi turned ‘red’, indicating severe pollution. Rohini in northwest Delhi recorded the worst air with an AQI of 499, followed closely by Jahangirpuri and Vivek Vihar at 495. The worsening air quality prompted the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) to invoke Stage IV of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), the strictest measure under the winter pollution control plan. Stage IV restrictions were imposed after the AQI crossed 450, following unfavourable meteorological conditions, low wind speeds, and poor dispersion of pollutants. — PTI_News (@PTI_News) Under Stage IV, several measures are in effect across Delhi-NCR: A ban on all construction and demolition activities, including linear public projects such as highways, flyovers, pipelines, and telecom work. Restrictions on the entry of BS-IV and lower diesel trucks, except those carrying essential commodities. CNG, LNG, electric, and BS-VI diesel trucks are allowed. Schools in Delhi, up to classes IX and XI, are required to operate in hybrid mode (physical and online), with students given the choice to attend online where feasible. Government and private offices must operate at 50% capacity, with the rest of the staff working from home. Children, the elderly, and people with respiratory, cardiovascular, or other chronic diseases are advised to remain indoors and wear masks if venturing outside. The Delhi government’s Directorate of Education directed all school heads to immediately communicate the hybrid-class arrangements to parents and guardians and ensure compliance with the new directives. Experts said the AQI spike was due to high emission loads combined with slow wind speeds, a stable atmosphere, and winter inversion conditions that trap pollutants near the ground. Anumita Roychowdhury, Executive Director at the Centre for Science and Environment, emphasized, “The current situation is a stark reminder of the urgent need for deep cuts in emissions from vehicles, industries, waste burning, construction, and household fuels.” The India Meteorological Department (IMD) also issued a yellow alert for dense fog at isolated places in Delhi on Sunday morning, with visibility dipping below 200 meters in some areas. Moderate fog is expected at most places throughout the day. This marks the first time this season that Stage IV GRAP has been invoked. The city last witnessed a ‘severe plus’ AQI day on December 19 last year, with an AQI of 451. With meteorological conditions expected to remain unfavourable over the coming days, authorities warned residents to take precautionary measures and minimize outdoor exposure. CM Rekha Gupta claimed that no stubble-burning incidents had been recorded in Delhi this year, attributing the improvement to coordinated efforts by the agriculture and environment departments. However, data from the Indian Agricultural Research Institute indicated five cases in the city’s north district. With the air quality likely to remain in the severe category on Sunday and possibly improve only slightly to ‘very poor’ by Monday and Tuesday, Delhiites were advised to stay indoors and follow all safety measures issued by CAQM and the government.

Delhi-NCR pollution is even worse today: Reasons why AQI is ‘severe’, and when relief is likely

Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR) are seeing another day under a severe blanket of hazardous air quality on Sunday, December 14, following a dramatic spike in pollution levels throughout Saturday. The morning readings on Sunday said several areas across Delhi were in ‘severe’ Air Quality Index (AQI) bracket with readings well over 400. According to the Central Pollution Control Board's data, Delhi's overall AQI, as of 7 am on December 14, stood at 461, thus close to the ceiling of the ‘severe’ category (up to 500). This was worse than Saturday. The reading improved by one point to 460 by 8 am. Forecasts had indicated the AQI may stay firmly in the "severe" category, with only slight relief anticipated from Monday onwards. Conditions remained unfavourable for the dispersion of pollutants, with calm winds and moderate fog persisting. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) had issued an alert for dense fog in the city on Sunday morning. The lowest visibility was recorded at 350 metres at Palam airport and 200 metres at Safdarjung, the IMD said. The pollution board classifies air quality as “moderate” when the AQI is between 101 and 200, “poor” between 201 and 300, and “very poor” between 301 and 400. Beyond 400, air quality is termed “severe”. For the purpose of mitigation measures, 450 and above is termed “severe plus”, with CPCB values not going beyond 500 — a threshold already considered seriously dangerous by the agency. Why is Delhi-NCR witnessing such pollution? The persistent "severe" air quality is primarily attributed to weather patterns, specifically a Western Disturbance that has caused “very low wind speed” since Friday, HT has reported. According to Mahesh Palawat, vice president at Skymet, this low wind speed has led to a major spike in pollution levels, and due to the western disturbance, "the AQI might remain in this range on Sunday as well". Experts blame the city's basin-like topography, combined with the winter setting in, for the worsening situation. Such a topography means a the city is located in a depression or dip, with higher elevations along its perimeter and lower at the centre. Such a shape means cold air is trapped beneath warm air, holding on to pollutants. Pollutants thus stay much closer to the ground in colder months, which is made worse by a lack of rain and slow wind. The pollutants are produced by local emissions, such as construction dust and vehicles; and winter's meteorological factors multiply the impact, says research. “The crop burning season is now nearly over. Official data shows crop burning incidence has reduced substantially in Punjab and Haryana this year,” noted research by the Centre for Science and Environment. “What’s more worrying is the daily synchronised rise of PM2.5 and other toxic gases such as nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and carbon monoxide (CO), largely from vehicles and combustion sources, creating a toxic cocktail," Anumita Roychowdhury, executive director, research and advocacy, CSE, elaborated. "This signals urgent need for deep rooted shifts in infrastructure and systems to upscale action to cut emissions from vehicles, industry, power plants, waste, construction and household energy,” she added.

As AQI plunges to ‘severe’, smog shrouds city, brings traffic to crawl

Noida: Delhi-NCR woke up to hazardous air as AQI slipped into the ‘severe' category. Noida was shrouding by a thick fog layer. Low visibility, about 200m in the morning, brought traffic to a crawl in some areas, including on the Eastern Peripheral Expressway. This was the first severe air day Noida recorded this month. It logged five ‘severe' days in Nov. At 455, Noida's AQI was also the worst in the country, according to CPCB's 4pm data. In Delhi, the AQI was 431. Data from the Central Pollution Control Board showed that the AQI rose rapidly. It was 397 at 9am, in the higher end of the ‘very poor' category, but reached the severe range at 10am at 401. Greater Noida's AQI was 442 while Ghaziabad was at 430. In Noida, Sector 116 recorded 479, Sector 1's reading was 469, Sector 125 was at 467 and Sector 62 recorded an AQI of 402—all in the severe category. In Greater Noida, Knowledge Park V recorded 478 and Knowledge Park III 406 – both in the severe category. In Ghaziabad, Indirapuram recorded 459 and Sanjay Nagar 401 – both in the severe category, while details of Loni and Vasundhara were not available. With air quality worsening sharply across the Delhi-NCR, authorities on Saturday invoked the restrictions under Stage IV of the Graded Response Action Plan, triggering emergency curbs across the region. This comes hours after the implementation of GRAP stage III was enforced in NCR. The Commission for Air Quality Management said its GRAP sub-committee had decided to enforce all measures under Stage IV or ‘severe+' air quality with immediate effect after pollution levels crossed critical thresholds. The Delhi govt has directed that all govt and private offices operate at 50% strength, with the rest working from home. According to the India Meteorological Department, the lowest visibility at Safdarjung, the city's base station, was observed at 400 metres at 8am. It improved to 500 metres at 9.30am. Anumita Roychowdhury, executive director (research and advocacy), Centre for Science and Environment, said, "As the atmospheric conditions are turning unfavourable with low wind spe-ed and poor dispersion of pollutants, high emissions from local sources are getting trapped, spiking the peak levels." She said it's a stark reminder of the urgent action needed for deep cuts in emissions from vehicles, industry, waste burning, construction, and solid fuels in households across the city and the region. CAQM said a feeble western disturbance is approaching north-west India, and the prevailing meteorological condition has marked a reduction in wind speed, at times becoming calm, a shift in wind direction from westerly to easterly, and an increase in moisture content in the lower atmosphere. "Such conditions during the winter season are conducive to the formation of smog and fog, resulting in poor dispersion and trapping of pollutants near the surface. Owing to these adverse meteorological conditions, a sudden deterioration in air quality has been observed," it said. The region is currently witnessing a second spell of severe days this winter. Delhi recorded three consecutive severe days from Nov 11 to 13. GRAP III was enforced from Nov 11 to 26 . On Sunday, the city is set to record a partly cloudy sky with moderate fog in morning .

GRAP 4 imposed as Delhi air worsens

NEW DELHI: The air quality in Delhi sharply deteriorated to the ‘severe’ category on Saturday as a toxic greyish haze blanketed the city. The 24-hour average overall AQI released at 4pm was 431, as opposed to 349 a day earlier. However, the AQI subsequently slipped into the ‘severe plus’ category for the first time this year, reaching 452 at 8pm. This prompted CAQM to impose stringent measures under GRAP, first under stage 3 and then stage 4 as the air worsened, on the same day. No respite from hazardous air quality is expected on Sunday. Experts said the AQI spiked due to high emission loads and unfavourable meteorological conditions. The farm fire season is over, while an increase in moisture due to the formation of fog, calm winds, and inversion trapped the pollutants. Among the measures invoked are a ban on construction and demolition, no entry of non-essential trucks, hybrid mode for schools, and a ban on BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel vehicles. The Delhi govt has directed that all govt and private offices operate at 50% strength, with the rest working from home. Data from the Central Pollution Control Board showed that the AQI rose rapidly on Saturday. It was 397 at 9am, in the higher end of the ‘very poor’ category, but reached the severe range at 10am at 401. According to the India Meteorological Department, the lowest visibility at Safdarjung, the city’s base station, was observed at 400 metres at 8am. It improved to 500 metres at 9.30am. Anumita Roychowdhury, executive director (research and advocacy), Centre for Science and Environment, said, “As the atmospheric conditions are turning unfavourable with low wind speed and poor dispersion of pollutants, high emissions from local sources are getting trapped, spiking the peak levels.” CAQM said a feeble western disturbance is approaching north-west India, and the prevailing meteorological condition has marked a reduction in wind speed, at times becoming calm, a shift in wind direction from westerly to easterly, and an increase in moisture content in the lower atmosphere. “Such conditions during the winter season are conducive to the formation of smog,” it said.

CAQM forms expert panel to review clean mobility policies

Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has constituted a committee of experts to review policies, programmes and regulatory frameworks related to clean mobility, including Bharat Stage (BS) norms, electric mobility initiatives, and fuel-efficiency standards across Delhi-NCR. The committee will share its report in two months. The move aims to tackle vehicular emissions. The emission inventory studies for Delhi done by IIT-Kanpur in 2015, TERI-ARAI in 2018 and SAFAR in 2018 stated that the transport sector's contribution to PM2.5 is 20%, 39% and 41% respectively. CAQM earlier requested Supreme Court to review its Aug 12 direction for no coercive action against those driving 10-year-old diesel and 15-year-old petrol vehicles in Delhi. It recommended the exclusion of relief given to BS-III and older vehicles. However, the commission on Friday constituted a 15-member expert committee for the abatement of air pollution caused by vehicular emissions. "Keeping in view the urgent necessity to develop strategies for the abatement of air pollution, CAQM has constituted an expert committee. It brings together leading academicians, health specialists, automotive research institutions and other experts in the field to recommend a robust, multi-pronged roadmap for emission reduction in the vehicular sector," said CAQM. The committee will be headed by Prof Ashok Jhunjhunwala of IIT Madras, while Dr Randeep Guleria, former director, AIIMS, will act as the co-chairperson of the committee. The members will include experts and officials from Niti Ayog, IIT-Delhi, IIT-Kanpur, Centre for Science and Environment, International Council on Clean Transportation, ministry of road, transport and highway, TERI and CAQM. "The committee will assess segment-wise contributions of vehicular emissions and related exposure risks and recommend regulatory measures for reduction in emissions. It will examine technological readiness, infrastructural requirements, cost implications and incentive plans for an accelerated EV transition across vehicle segments," said CAQM. It added that vehicular emissions remain a major contributor to air pollution in Delhi-NCR, aggravating PM2.5, Nitrogen Oxides (NOx), Carbon Monoxide (CO), and Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) emissions. This poses serious public health challenges in the region. The first meeting of the expert committee will take place on Dec

CAQM sets up panel to tackle vehicular emissions

The panel brings together leading academicians, public health specialists, automotive research institutions and international mobility experts, marking one of the most comprehensive attempts yet to confront a sector that contributes significantly to the Capital’s hazardous air. The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) in NCR and Adjoining Areas on Friday announced the formation of a new 15-member expert committee that will craft a year-round strategy to curb vehicular emissions – a long-recognised, but still unaddressed driver of the Capital’s chronic pollution crisis. The panel brings together leading academicians, public health specialists, automotive research institutions and international mobility experts, marking one of the most comprehensive attempts yet to confront a sector that contributes significantly to the Capital’s hazardous air. The panel is scheduled to meet for the first time on Monday and is expected to submit its recommendations within two months. CAQM officials aware of the plan said the group has been tasked with mapping a “robust, multi-pronged roadmap” to reduce PM2.5, nitrogen oxides (NOx), carbon monoxide (CO) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted by vehicles – pollutants that linger in Delhi’s air long after winter smog episodes fade. Unlike seasonal sources such as stubble burning or festive fireworks, vehicular emissions afflict Delhi through the year, they said. Amit Bhatt, managing director of the International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT) and a member of the committee, said Delhi cannot hope to improve its air without addressing its vehicles. “Unlike biomass burning, farm fires or fireworks during festivities, vehicular emission is a constant source of pollution present every single day. If Delhi wants to clean its air, it has to clean its vehicular emissions,” he said. Anumita Roychowdhury, executive director at the Centre for Science and Environment and also part of the panel, called vehicular pollution an inherently “complex problem”, one that requires interventions at multiple levels. “Delhi has tried several measures over the years, but clearly that has not been enough. A clear, well-defined, long-term strategy is required, and the committee will examine every possible solution,” she said.

CAQM sets up panel to study how to curb vehicular emission in Delhi, report in 2 months

The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) in National Capital Region and Adjoining Areas – the Union government’s top pollution watchdog for Delhi-NCR – on Friday set up an expert committee to develop strategies to curb air pollution caused by vehicular emissions in the region. The committee has to submit its recommendations within two months. The CAQM has identified vehicular emissions to be a major contributor to particulate matter pollutants – mixture of solid particles and liquid droplets found in the air – as well as gaseous pollutants like volatile organic compounds, nitrogen oxides and carbon monoxide. The 15-member committee includes top academicians, health specialists, automotive research institutions and other experts in the field. In a statement, CAQM said the experts will “recommend a robust, multi-pronged roadmap for emission reduction in the vehicular sector”. The committee will be chaired by IIT Madras Prof Ashok Jhunjhunwala, while Dr Randeep Guleria, former director at AIIMS Delhi, will be the co-chairperson. Other members will include IIT Kanpur Prof Mukesh Sharma; IIT Delhi Prof Sagnik Dey; a representative each from Ministry of Road Transport and Highways of India and Ministry of Heavy Industries, both not below the rank of joint secretary; Automotive Research Association of India Director Dr Reji Mathai; International Centre for Automotive Technology Director Saurabh Dalela; Council on Energy, Environment and Water CEO Dr Arunabha Ghosh; Centre for Science and Environment Executive Director Anumita Roychowdhury; ICCT Managing Director Amit Bhatt and TERI Associate Director Dr Anju Goel. Dr Virender Sharma, member (Technical) at CAQM, will act as the convener. The committee has been tasked to review policies, programmes and regulatory frameworks related to clean mobility. According to CAQM, the committee will review existing mechanisms around “BS norms, electricity mobility initiatives and fuel efficiency standards across Delhi-NCR”, assess segment-wise contributions of vehicular emissions and related exposure risks and also recommend regulatory measures for the reduction of vehicular emissions. Further, the members have to “examine technological readiness, infrastructural requirements, cost implications and incentive plans for an accelerated electric vehicle transition across vehicle segments”. It can also recommend any additional measure to control vehicular emissions. The first meeting of the committee is scheduled for December 15. “The constitution of this expert committee will advance evidence-based policy action for improving air quality and safeguarding public health in Delhi-NCR,” the CAQM said. AQI likely to turn ‘severe’ over weekend Delhi’s air quality hovered in the ‘Very Poor’ category on Friday, with experts predicting a further spike that could push the city’s air into the ‘Severe’ zone over the weekend. The 24-hour average AQI at 4 pm stood at 349, according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). As per Air Quality Early Warning System, the AQI is likely to remain ‘Very Poor’ on Saturday and turn ‘Severe’ on Sunday. The Decision Support System (DSS) for Delhi’s Air Quality Management estimated transport as the biggest contributor to air pollution in the Capital on Friday at 16.5%. On the weather front, the maximum temperature on Friday settled at 26.6 degrees Celsius, 3.6 notches above normal, while the minimum was 8 degrees Celsius, 0.6 notch below normal, the IMD said. The IMD forecast moderate fog on Saturday with a minimum temperature of 11 degrees Celsius and a maximum of 23 degrees Celsius.

Addressing the gender gap in climate policies

“However, this COP30, women from indigenous communities played a key role in amplifying the urgency of climate change and the action needed to scale up mitigation and adaptation,” says Sunita Narain, director general, Centre for Science and Environment. Former UN high commissioner for human rights Mary Robinson summed it up succinctly when she said, “Climate change is a manmade problem that requires a feminist solution.” Women, already suffering from existing inequalities, are most affected by the climate crisis, with direct impacts on their livelihood, health and safety. COP30, at Belem, adopted a new Gender Action Plan (GAP), including a focus on care work, women’s health, and violence against women. Mirai Chatterjee, chairperson, SEWA Cooperative Federation, says, “We welcome the expanded scope of the Belem GAP, and its emphasis on women’s involvement at all levels of climate-related discussion and action, especially informal women workers. The integration with decent work, care work and social protection like health, is also an important feature. Now we look forward to its implementation with adequate resources and monitoring.” GAP was first adopted in 2017 and the final document submitted at Belem will form the framework for climate action which will, if implemented correctly, ensure that gender equality remains at the heart of the UN climate process. Countries such as India must internalise the fact that women and girls face unique climate risks and disproportionate stress from natural disasters. If the right policies are not put in place now, at least 158 million women and girls will fall into poverty by 2050, while 236 million could face food insecurity. Mainstreaming gender into climate policies will ensure that existing inequalities do not get integrated into climate politics. “Women are often the first to feel the impacts of climate change, but they are also leading some of the most meaningful responses. Their knowledge and leadership are not just valuable; they are essential. We need to stop seeing women as peripheral to climate action. Their lived experience brings insight that science alone cannot offer — and at COP30, we saw a growing recognition of that,” says Christopher Nial, senior partner, FINN Partners, Global Health Impact. Women’s groups must get more finance and technical know-how to tackle climate-crisis impacts; they must be mentored on preventive aspects as well. India doesn’t have enough disaggregated data in the field of climate. Without this, gender can’t be mainstreamed effectively into climate decisions. Real evidence is key to tracking progress and plugging gaps. The current GAP prescribes five priorities — capacity building, gender balance and leadership, coherence, gender-responsive implementation, and monitoring and reporting. GAP has to include the voices of women and girls, particularly from marginalised communities. It is here that the current GAP misses the gendered dimension of transformation, an insistence on advancing gender equality, and the need to invest in care and support economies and services. “However, this COP30, women from indigenous communities played a key role in amplifying the urgency of climate change and the action needed to scale up mitigation and adaptation,” says Sunita Narain, director general, Centre for Science and Environment.

दिल्ली से प्रदूषण हो जाएगा गायब, बस करने होंगे ये 6 काम, CSE ने जारी की डिमांड

राजधानी की हवा को साफ करने के लिए सेंटर फॉर साइंस एंड एनवायरनमेंट (CSE) ने 6 पॉइंट की डिमांड जारी किया है। सीएसई ने साफ कहा है कि दिल्ली की हवा साफ करने के लिए गाड़ियों को कंट्रोल करने से बेहतर कुछ नहीं है। इसके लिए पब्लिक ट्रांसपोर्ट को मजबूत करना जरूरी है। सीएसई ने कहा है कि प्रदूषण के सोर्स पर लगाम लगाना कैसे जरूरी है। गाड़ियों से मौसम बदलता है। इसकी वजह से प्रदूषण नियंत्रित होने पर भी कमी नहीं आ पाती। इसलिए वे चाहते हैं कि GRAP एक डिसेन्ट्रलाइज्ड हो जिससे कि इसे लोकल ऐक्शन प्लान में जोड़कर इसे GRAP का लागू करने की नौबत ही न आए। इस तरह से ये कहा गया है कि क्लाइमेट चेंज है इसमें ये भी कारगर नहीं है। इसे तुरत बंद किया जाना चाहिए।

New Delhi's Toxic Air Quality: A Public Health Emergency

Despite a 77.5 percent decrease in stubble burning since 2021, Delhi’s air quality reached its worst in half a decade this winter. As illustrated above, the contribution of stubble burning to PM2.5 levels has dropped to negligible proportions. The CPCB’s report has measured AQI only between 1 January and 7 November each year, discounting some of the most severely polluted days. Regardless, the proportional contribution of stubble burning has reduced substantially since 2021, even during the peak period of early November. This aligns with the most recent data from the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), which highlighted that local emissions from vehicles and combustion sources are the most significant contributors.

Govt declares Delhi has had the lowest AQI in 8 years. Rahul Gandhi urges for a debate on pollution

Responding to the Rajya Sabha MP Sagarika Ghose's questions about the action that the Union government has taken to address the worsening air quality in the national capital, they claimed that "Delhi has observed the lowest average AQI in the past 8 years, i.e., from 2018 to 2025 (barring 2020 - COVID lockdown)." This claim comes amid a Press Trust of India (PTI) report yesterday stating that India sets its own air quality standards, and that air quality guidelines set by the World Health Organization (WHO) "serve only as advisory values, not binding standards". The government also dismissed global indices such as IQAir's World Air Quality Ranking, the WHO Global Air Quality Database, and the Environmental Performance Index (EPI). The government also told the Rajya Sabha: “With coordinated efforts, the number of good days (AQI<200) in Delhi has increased to 200 days in 2025 from 110 days in 2016. While there is an overall improvement in the AQI this year, very poor days (AQI: 301-400) and severe days (AQI more than 401) have reduced from 71 days in 2024 to 50 days in 2025.” But questions remain about gaps in the government’s air-quality data collection. In early November, reports indicated that only 9 of Delhi’s 37 air quality monitoring stations were operational on Diwali. Moreover, Newslaundry had earlier reported how several of Delhi’s air quality monitoring stations were in violation of basic norms, placed behind trees, beside walls, or hemmed in by buildings that obstruct airflow within the mandatory 20-metre radius. Making matters worse, as the city’s air quality worsened, reports and on-the-ground findings suggested that the government went a step further, spraying water around an air quality monitoring station. This amounts to fudging the data. The matter was presented before the Supreme Court, which directed the Delhi government to submit an affidavit explaining the type of devices used to measure AQI and their effectiveness in recording pollution levels. Even though Parliament has been in session for the past 12 days, the government has not tabled any special discussion on the growing air pollution levels in the national capital, despite repeated demands from the Opposition. Today, the Leader of the Opposition, Rahul Gandhi, called for a detailed discussion in Parliament on air pollution and requested that Prime Minister Narendra Modi present a detailed plan to mitigate it. Claims made, but roadblocks apparent In their response to Ghose, the government also claimed: “So far, 95 Statutory Directions have been issued through the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) to specifically guide and direct various actions towards abatement of air pollution in the region. A monitoring mechanism to oversee the implementation of these directions has been put in place.” But, according to a recent report in The Hindu, one of these key directions has been thwarted by a Supreme Court order and a lack of strict action by authorities, which has resulted in end-of-life vehicles still plying on Delhi’s roads. According to the commission, more than 63 lakh such vehicles still ply in the capital, polluting the air. Meanwhile, The Indian Express reported earlier this week that the CAQM “sought a review of the Supreme Court’s August 12 order, which paused coercive action against end-of-life vehicles”. In August, the court effectively stayed its 2018 order upholding an NGT directive to keep end-of-life, BS-III-and-below vehicles off the roads. But in its latest submission, the CAQM has recommended that the court exclude BS-III and other older vehicles from that relief. According to a recent analysis by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), despite a decrease in stubble burning this year, air pollution levels remained high in Delhi in October and November “primarily because of vehicular pollution”. Meanwhile, an IIT-Delhi study published last year showed that paving unpaved roads, repairing potholes, and fixing broken footpaths/dividers can reduce PM2.5 levels by a significant 15 percent to 26 percent. In its response to the MP, the government also mentions the implementation of the Supreme Court-mandated (and implemented by the CAQM) Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), especially during peak winter months. In late November, the CAQM revoked the restrictions under Stage 3 of the GRAP in Delhi-NCR, which mandate a ban on non-essential construction and shifting primary schools to hybrid/online, among other measures. But the commission reiterated that construction and demolition sites previously ordered to shut down for violations will not be allowed to resume work unless they receive specific permission. In their response yesterday, the government also described measures taken to address the “transportation of construction materials and demolition waste, covering of construction materials and demolition waste”. However, according to a Times of India report on Wednesday, "garbage burning and open storage of construction and demolition waste continued unabated across the city." Moreover, the report found that staffers at the National Capital Region Transport Corporation station in Sarai Kale Khan were “unaware of multiple anti-pollution directions” issued by the Delhi government. Despite the government’s claims, even the Chief Justice of India, on December 1, raised doubts about whether the government's action plan had brought about any effective changes. "Why don't you revisit your action plan to see for yourself whether you have brought any effective changes? And if you have, then are they less than what is needed? We think it's important to evaluate whether any of your action plans have proved to be effective, ineffective, or less effective. Despite your hesitance or confidence about whether you would be able to achieve effective change, is it not right to revisit the action plan? Evaluate the steps you have taken so far.”

Need to invest in public transport, provide an alternative to car owners’: Sunita Narain, CSE

In almost any other city in the world, Delhi’s apocalyptic pollution levels would have sparked alarm. In India, however, it is business as usual. Governments are wary of taking action and even the once-activist judiciary is now lying low. This state of affairs is untenable, Sunita Narain, director Centre for Science and Environments says in this episode of Scroll Adda. The situation is severe and massive policy changes will have to be taken. Industries must be shifted to clean fuel, car and motorcycle users must be shifted to buses as well as trains and old, polluting vehicles must be barred from the streets of Delhi. Narain notes the progress that has been made. Fuel today is much cleaner than it was a few years back. But also notes that any such steps forward are rolled back given the sheer increase in the number of private vehicles in Delhi. She is despondent about the Indian state’s response to pollution, arguing that earlier in her career as an environmental activist, institutions were far more responsive to people’s needs.

Delhi Air Pollution: CAQM Constitutes 15-Member Expert Panel; Recommendations Within 2 Months

Delhi Air Pollution: Amid the deplorable air pollution in Delhi-NCR, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has constituted an expert committee under the Chairmanship of IIT Madras Professor Ashok Jhunjhunwala. Vehicular emissions remain a major contributor to air pollution in Delhi-NCR, aggravating PM 2.5, Nitrogen Oxides (NOx), Carbon Monoxide (CO), and Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) emissions. This poses serious public-health challenges in the region. "The Expert Committee brings together leading academicians, health specialists, automotive research institutions and other experts in the field to recommend a robust, multi-pronged roadmap for emission reduction in the vehicular sector," the committee said, quoted by ANI. The committee would also examine technology readiness, infrastructure demands, cost considerations, and possible incentives to accelerate the shift to Electric Vehicles (EVs) across different categories. Furthermore, it would propose any additional measures needed to curb air pollution from vehicular transport. Who Will Be Part Of The CAQM Committee? Professor Ashok Jhunjhunwala, IIT Madras – Chairman Dr (Professor) Randeep Guleria, Former Director, AIIMS Delhi – Co-Chairman Professor Mukesh Sharma, IIT Kanpur – Member Dr (Professor) Arvind Kumar, Founder, Lung Care Foundation – Member Professor Sagnik Dey, IIT Delhi – Member Representative at the level of Joint Secretary of the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) – Member Representative at the level of Joint Secretary, Ministry of Heavy Industries (MHI) – Member Archana Mittal, Advisor, NITI Aayog – Member Dr Reji Mathai, Director, ARAI Pune – Member Saurabh Dalela, Director, ICAT Manesar – Member Dr Arunabha Ghosh, CEO, CEEW, New Delhi – Member Anumita Roychowdhury, Executive Director, CSE, New Delhi – Member Amit Bhatt, Managing Director, ICCT New Delhi – Member Dr Anju Goyal, Associate Director, TERI, New Delhi – Member Dr Virendra Sharma, Member Technical, CAQM – Convener

Eggoz Eggs Controversy: अंडों में कैंसर का खतरा? Egoz विवाद की पूरी कहानी”

CSE (सेंटर फॉर साइंस एंड एनवायरनमेंट) की स्टडीज़ ने पहले ही भारतीय पोल्ट्री फार्म में एंटीबायोटिक-रेसिस्टेंट बैक्टीरिया की पुष्टि की है। Egoz सिर्फ़ एक प्रोडक्ट का मामला नहीं है — यह पोल्ट्री सेक्टर में एक सिस्टमिक कमी को दिखाता है। पिछले दस सालों में इंडिया का फ़ूड लैंडस्केप काफ़ी बदल गया है। कभी अख़बार में लिपटे सड़क किनारे ठेलों पर बिकने वाले अंडे, अब AC वाले सुपरमार्केट के गलियारों में आ गए हैं—शानदार डिब्बों में पैक होकर और “प्रीमियम,” “एंटीबायोटिक-फ़्री,” “हर्बल-फ़ेड,” और “फ़ार्म फ़्रेश” कहकर बेचे जाते हैं। शहरी इंडिया, जो अब पहले से कहीं ज़्यादा हेल्थ को लेकर जागरूक है, इन दावों पर यकीन कर लेता है और खुशी-खुशी ज़्यादा कीमत चुकाता है। वायरल रिपोर्ट जिसने दहशत फैला दी कुछ दिन पहले, फ़ूड और सप्लीमेंट्स की इंडिपेंडेंट ब्लाइंड लैब टेस्टिंग के लिए जाने जाने वाले एक YouTube चैनल ने एक वीडियो अपलोड किया जिसमें दावा किया गया था कि इगोज़ के अंडों में खतरनाक केमिकल्स होते हैं। नतीजों से पता चला कि ये नतीजे कथित तौर पर NABL से मान्यता प्राप्त लैब के थे। इन नतीजों से पता चला कि पैकेज्ड अंडों में नाइट्रोफ्यूरान और AOZ (3-एमिनो-2-ऑक्साज़ोलिडिनोन) मौजूद थे। कथित तौर पर AOZ का पाया गया कंसंट्रेशन 0.73 से 0.74 µg/kg के बीच था। यह एक ऐसा केमिकल है जो कई देशों में अपने कैंसर पैदा करने वाले नेचर की वजह से बैन है। कुछ ही घंटों में, सोशल मीडिया पर हंगामा मच गया। कंज्यूमर पूछने लगे: “क्या ये अंडे हमें ज़हर दे रहे हैं?” “क्या ये हमारे DNA को बदल सकते हैं?” “क्या यह धीमा ज़हर हेल्थ फ़ूड के तौर पर दिया जाता है?” हंगामे को समझने के लिए, पहले कंपनी के स्केल और दावों को समझना होगा। Egoz कितना बड़ा है? Egoz कोई छोटा प्लेयर नहीं है। यह भारत के तेज़ी से बढ़ते स्टार्टअप इकोसिस्टम का हिस्सा है, जिसे 2017 में IIT खड़गपुर के पुराने स्टूडेंट अभिषेक नेगी, आदित्य सिंह और उत्तम कुमार ने लॉन्च किया था। फाउंडर्स ने एक बड़ी कमी पहचानी: भारत में हर साल 140 बिलियन से ज़्यादा अंडे बनते हैं, फिर भी लगभग 95% मार्केट अनऑर्गनाइज़्ड है। पारंपरिक मंडियों में बिकने वाले खुले अंडों के लिए क्वालिटी कंट्रोल बहुत कम होता है। इन्वेस्टर्स को Egoz के विज़न पर भरोसा था। कंपनी ने ये पैसे जुटाए: IvyCap Ventures की लीडरशिप में Series B (2022) में $8.8 मिलियन Series C (जून 2025) में $20 मिलियन—इसका सबसे बड़ा फंडिंग राउंड आज, Egoz दिल्ली-NCR, बेंगलुरु, हैदराबाद, चेन्नई, मुंबई और पुणे समेत 11 बड़े भारतीय शहरों में काम करता है। आरोप असल में क्या हैं? यह विवाद तब शुरू हुआ जब एक YouTube चैनल ने Egoz के अंडे खरीदे और सैंपल एक सर्टिफाइड लैब में भेजे। लैब ने कथित तौर पर AOZ का पता लगाया, जो एक बैन नाइट्रोफ्यूराज़ोन एंटीबायोटिक ग्रुप का मेटाबोलाइट है। AOZ कई देशों में इसके जीनोटॉक्सिक और कार्सिनोजेनिक पोटेंशियल की वजह से बैन है। यह खोज सीधे तौर पर Egoz के मार्केटिंग दावों के उलट है: “100% एंटीबायोटिक-फ्री अंडे” “हर्बल से बनी मुर्गियां” “ज़ीरो केमिकल्स” कस्टमर्स ने ब्रांड पर प्रॉफिट के लिए पब्लिक हेल्थ से कॉम्प्रोमाइज करने का आरोप लगाया। क्या अंडे सच में आपका DNA बदल सकते हैं? साइंस ने समझाया ऑनलाइन फैले सबसे बड़े डरों में से एक था: “क्या ये अंडे खाने से मेरा DNA बदल जाएगा?” साइंटिफिकली, नहीं। जब आप कोई भी खाना खाते हैं—पौधे का या जानवर का—तो उसमें मौजूद DNA पेट के एसिड और एंजाइम से छोटे न्यूक्लियोटाइड में टूट जाता है। ये आपके जीनोम में खुद को नहीं डालते। आप अंडा, चिकन या चावल खाने से “म्यूटेंट” नहीं बन सकते। तो असली खतरा क्या है? जीनोटॉक्सिसिटी असली खतरा जीनोटॉक्सिसिटी है, जेनेटिक म्यूटेशन नहीं। जीनोटॉक्सिक केमिकल: अपना DNA दोबारा न लिखें। लेकिन वे DNA स्ट्रैंड को नुकसान पहुंचा सकते हैं या गलतियां पैदा कर सकते हैं। खराब DNA रिपेयर से अनकंट्रोल्ड सेल डिवीज़न हो सकता है — जो कैंसर है। नाइट्रोफ्यूरान और AOZ इस जीनोटॉक्सिक कैटेगरी में आते हैं। नाइट्रोफ्यूरान और AOZ क्या हैं? नाइट्रोफ्यूरान बैन एंटीबायोटिक्स की एक क्लास है। AOZ एक मेटाबोलाइट है जो जानवरों को एंटीबायोटिक फुराज़ोलिडोन खिलाने पर बनता है। भले ही ओरिजिनल दवा कुछ घंटों में ब्लडस्ट्रीम से गायब हो जाए, AOZ टिशू (मीट, अंडे) में हफ्तों या महीनों तक रहता है, इसीलिए लैब AOZ के लिए टेस्ट करते हैं, एंटीबायोटिक के लिए नहीं। AOZ मिलने से यह साबित होता है कि मुर्गी किसी समय नाइट्रोफ्यूरान के संपर्क में आई थी। किसान अभी भी बैन एंटीबायोटिक्स का इस्तेमाल क्यों कर रहे हैं? क्योंकि ये हैं: बहुत सस्ते साल्मोनेला और E. कोलाई जैसे बैक्टीरिया के खिलाफ असरदार भीड़भाड़ वाले पोल्ट्री फार्म में काम के, जहां इंफेक्शन तेजी से फैलता है अंडों का प्रोडक्शन और वज़न बढ़ाने में मदद करते हैं यह गैर-कानूनी लेकिन आम तरीका लागत कम रखता है और आउटपुट स्थिर रखता है। क्या 0.74 µg/kg कंज्यूमर्स के लिए खतरनाक है? 0.74 पार्ट्स पर बिलियन (ppb) सुनने में बहुत कम लगता है — और यह है भी। ऐसे अंडे खाने से तुरंत बीमारी नहीं होगी। लेकिन दिक्कत लंबे समय तक एक्सपोजर की है। कार्सिनोजेन्स के लिए, दुनिया भर की रेगुलेटरी बॉडीज़ का मानना ​​है: “कोई भी मात्रा सच में सुरक्षित नहीं है।” बड़ा खतरा: एंटीबायोटिक रेजिस्टेंस (AMR) कैंसर के खतरे से भी ज़्यादा खतरनाक AMR (एंटीमाइक्रोबियल रेजिस्टेंस) है। जब पोल्ट्री बार-बार बैन एंटीबायोटिक्स खाती है: उनके पेट के बैक्टीरिया सुपरबग बन जाते हैं। ये दवा-रेसिस्टेंट माइक्रोब्स अंडे, मीट या खेत के कचरे के ज़रिए इंसानों में फैलते हैं। एक बार इन्फेक्ट होने पर, आम एंटीबायोटिक्स काम करना बंद कर देती हैं। फूड पॉइज़निंग या टाइफाइड का एक मामूली मामला जानलेवा हो सकता है। CSE (सेंटर फॉर साइंस एंड एनवायरनमेंट) की स्टडीज़ ने पहले ही भारतीय पोल्ट्री फार्म में एंटीबायोटिक-रेसिस्टेंट बैक्टीरिया की पुष्टि की है। Egoz सिर्फ़ एक प्रोडक्ट का मामला नहीं है — यह पोल्ट्री सेक्टर में एक सिस्टमिक कमी को दिखाता है। विदेशी देश क्या करते हैं? USA FDA ने 2002 में नाइट्रोफ्यूरान पर बैन लगा दिया था। ज़ीरो-टॉलरेंस पॉलिसी। थोड़ी सी भी पता चलने वाली मात्रा भी प्रोडक्ट को गैर-कानूनी बना देती है। बैच नष्ट कर दिए जाते हैं; कंपनियों को ब्लैकलिस्ट किया गया है यूरोपियन यूनियन। नाइट्रोफ्यूरान पर भी बैन। टेक्निकल डिटेक्शन लिमिट के तौर पर 0.5 µg/kg AOZ तक की इजाज़त। Egoz के अंडे (0.74 µg/kg) इस लिमिट से ज़्यादा हैं — मतलब उन्हें यूरोप में कानूनी तौर पर नहीं बेचा जा सकता। भारत की कानूनी स्थिति क्या है? भारत के कानून उलटे हैं: FSSAI ने नाइट्रोफ्यूरान और AOZ पर बैन लगाया है। लेकिन 1.0 µg/kg की टेस्टिंग टॉलरेंस लिमिट भी तय की है। क्योंकि Egoz के सैंपल में कथित तौर पर 0.74 µg/kg दिखा, इसलिए ब्रांड यह तर्क दे सकता है: “हमारा प्रोडक्ट भारत की कानूनी सुरक्षा लिमिट के अंदर है।” यह रेगुलेटरी गैप ही कन्फ्यूजन की जड़ है। Egos क्या कहता है? फाउंडर अभिषेक नेगी ने सोशल मीडिया पर कंपनी का बचाव किया: “हम कोई भी बैन या परमिटेड एंटीबायोटिक इस्तेमाल नहीं करते।” “हमारे लिए, बैन का मतलब है पूरी तरह बैन।” “हम 11 लेयर की सेफ्टी चेक और 100% हर्बल फीड फॉलो करते हैं।” “हम ट्रांसपेरेंसी बनाए रखते हैं और क्वालिटी से कोई कॉम्प्रोमाइज़ नहीं करेंगे।” Egoz ने कंज्यूमर्स को भरोसा दिलाने के लिए अपनी लैब रिपोर्ट भी ऑनलाइन पोस्ट कीं।

Crisis looms

The year, 2025, has been a continuing saga of climate tragedies for many parts of India. It has also been the year when political rhetoric on how the nation guides the world got shriller. In August, Punjab, our breadbasket, got flooded; millions faced displacement when the Beas and the Sutlej overflowed after extreme rains. The tragedy soon faded away from public memory. Next, in the rugged hills of Uttarakhand, cloudbursts and landslides tore through tens of villages, wiping out entire hamlets, homes, small hotels, and footbridges. People eking out a living from tourism found themselves displaced overnight, their livelihoods lost and lives shattered. Roads and access routes became history. The fragility of mountain livelihoods came to fore as the deluge erased the future of thousands. Earlier, in summer, heat waves enveloped much of central and southern India, hitting the poorest the hardest, particularly in the countryside and small towns. If the north witnessed flooding in August, much of western and central Maharashtra, particularly Marathwada, was cursed in September. Historically drought-prone, that region bore the brunt of heavy rains and floods. A region hardened by years of water stress and neglect was suddenly caught in the vortex of excess rain and flash floods. Grapes, sugarcane, soybeans, maize, and other crops got destroyed completely over thousands of acres, and homes and livestock got washed away. The destruction of poorer households sparked a mental health emergency and left many uncertain about their futures. On India’s east coast, Cyclone Montha wreaked havoc in October. The storm flattened crops and battered farmlands, leaving behind a trail of losses. There was more, but these four episodes are enough to lay bare how shifting climatic patterns are erasing traditional coping strategies of people. India experienced “extreme weather events on 99 per cent of the days in the first nine months” of 2025, the Centre for Science and Environment says in its 2025 climate assessment report. The data are glaring: extreme weather events claimed more than 4,000 human lives — a 48% increase from 2022 — and over 3,000 of those lives were lost during the monsoon in floods and landslides. Crops over 47 million hectares were destroyed — a 400% rise in four years. More than 30 states and Union territories recorded extreme weather for eight consecutive months. The report and the anecdotes portray a broader map of a country torn between ecological volatility and tattered regional economies. Add to it the sudden impact of the tariffs imposed by the president of the United States of America, Donald Trump, and you have a tragedy that is accentuated multiple times over. Taken together, the year’s events expose three interlinked policy gaps. First, water governance remains fragmented, even wanting. Second, disaster-climate finance and preparedness are a hoax. Relief and meagre cash compensation remains the only policy response; they are band aids. Finally, what matters is the political economy. Macro growth and industrial production data can be misguiding. Real resilience requires attention and budgets toward rural infrastructure and local health systems to cope with consequences and adaptation at scale before — not after — a calamity strikes. The climate and economy are two intertwined spirals.

PM2.5 level rises beyond safe limit in Gurgaon, Teri Gram pollution hotspot

Gurgaon: The city's air quality index (AQI) on Wednesday went up to 276 from the previous day's 260. An analysis of PM2.5 data from air quality monitoring stations over the past 10 days shows that pollution is concentrated in a few chronic pockets instead of being distributed evenly across the region. Data from Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) indicates that Teri Gram has emerged as the city's most critical pollution hotspot so far this month, recording PM2.5 levels above 300 on six days. The station reported levels of 304 on Dec 1, 333 on Dec 2, 326 on Dec 4, 342 on Dec 6, 345 on Dec 7 and 323 on Dec 9. Sector 51 has reported consistently high baseline pollution as well, with short periods of relief. PM2.5 levels remained in the poor category for most of the first 10 days of the month, recording 283 on Dec 1, 292 on Dec 2, 251 on Dec 3, 262 on Dec 4 and 295 on Dec 5. After a brief dip to 179 on Dec 7, pollution rose again to 327 on Dec 8 and remained high at 297 on Dec 9. At Manesar's industrial belt, monitored at Sector 2 IMT, PM2.5 levels crossed 320 for four consecutive days between Dec 1 and 4, with readings of 323, 331, 327 and 302. Levels dropped slightly to 282 on Dec 6, 254 on Dec 8 and 238 on Dec 9. Vikas Sadan showed noticeable day-to-day variation rather than persistent high levels. PM2.5 levels fell to 159 on Dec 2 and 162 on Dec 9, although the area also recorded temporary spikes to 293 on Dec 4 and 290 on Dec 5. Gwal Pahari remained the least polluted among the five stations, although it too experienced seasonal smog. While there were brief spikes above 300 in early Dec, PM2.5 levels generally stayed lower than in the city's core hotspots. Lower traffic density and better air movement due to its elevation helped keep pollution comparatively lower. "The data shows that the air crisis is driven by persistent micro hotspots rather than uniform pollution across the city. With Teri Gram, Sector 51 and IMT Manesar repeatedly recording unsafe air, civic agencies need to focus on location-specific enforcement and source-wise control instead of broad city-level measures that do not address these chronic pockets," said Shubhansh Tiwari from the Centre for Science and Environment. "We have identified hotspots where pollution levels remain consistently high. Targeted enforcement drives are under way in these areas, including checks on construction dust, industrial emissions and waste burning. Strict action is being taken against violators, and monitoring is being intensified," said Krishan Kumar, regional officer, Haryana State Pollution Control Board.