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CAQM vehicular pollution panel holds first meeting

An expert panel constituted by the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) to frame a long-term roadmap for curbing vehicular pollution in Delhi-NCR held its first-ever meeting on Monday, with members holding wide-ranging discussions on how different vehicle segments contribute to pollution, who is most exposed to emissions, and whether the region is prepared for a large-scale transition to electric mobility, officials aware of the matter said on Monday. Officials present at the meeting said it was largely exploratory in nature, aimed at setting the agenda for more focused, solution-oriented deliberations in the weeks ahead. The next meeting of the panel has been scheduled for December 18, and members have been asked to submit detailed suggestions and practical recommendations before then, the people cited above said. The expert committee was constituted on December 12 amid sustained concern over the role of transport emissions in Delhi’s air quality crisis. “The first meeting of the expert committee … was held today under the chairmanship of prof Ashok Jhunjhunwala and co-chaired by Dr (Prof) Randeep Guleria. The meeting focused on broad discussions on key issues related to vehicular emission sources in Delhi-NCR,” CAQM said in a statement on Monday. According to officials, Monday’s meeting sought to identify key problem areas that require deeper analysis before concrete policy proposals are finalised. Among the issues deliberated were assessments of segment-wise vehicular emission contributions, exposure risks for different population groups, the current level of readiness for electric vehicles, and gaps in charging and supporting infrastructure. Officials said members also discussed whether existing data sufficiently captures the real-world pollution load from older and high-usage vehicles, including commercial fleets. Vehicular emissions remain a major and consistent contributor to Delhi’s pollution, unlike seasonal sources such as stubble burning. Emission inventory studies over the past decade highlight the scale of the challenge. A 2015 IIT-Kanpur study estimated that the transport sector contributed around 20% of year-old PM2.5 pollution in the Capital, while later studies by TERI-ARAI and SAFAR in 2018 placed the contribution much higher, at 39% and 41%, respectively. Officials said the committee will now work towards translating these broad discussions into firm policy recommendations. “The committee will place concrete, actionable recommendations for reducing vehicular emissions in the forthcoming meetings,” CAQM said. The panel comprises experts and officials from Niti Aayog, IIT-Delhi, IIT-Kanpur, the Centre for Science and Environment, the International Council on Clean Transportation, the ministry of road transport and highways, TERI and CAQM. Recently, CAQM approached the Supreme Court seeking a review of its August 12 direction that barred coercive action against owners of 10-year-old diesel and 15-year-old petrol vehicles in Delhi, arguing that relief should not extend to BS-III and older vehicles, which continue to contribute disproportionately to emissions.

Year-ender 2025 | Climate disasters across the world

2025 is coming to an end, and many events this year are worth remembering. However, this year saw several extreme weather events worth mentioning. The Climate India 2025 report by the Centre for Science and Environment and Down To Earth stated that India had extreme weather events on 99 per cent of days during January to September. Let us take a look at what major climate events and natural disasters took place this year:

दो महीने से हवा में जहर, घटते-बढ़ते रहे Grap के लेवल... आखिर पॉल्यूशन से जंग में कहां चूक रही दिल्ली?

दिल्ली में पिछले दो महीनों से हवा जहरीली बनी हुई है. AQI बार-बार 400-500 पार कर रहा है. वाहनों का धुआं. निर्माण की धूल. सर्दियों का इनवर्शन और पराली मुख्य कारण हैं. GRAP के नियम लागू होने के बावजूद सुधार नहीं है. बीजिंग व लंदन जैसे शहरों से सीखकर सख्त कानून, इलेक्ट्रिक वाहन और क्षेत्रीय सहयोग से प्रदूषण कम किया जा सकता है. दिल्ली और आसपास के इलाकों में पिछले दो महीनों से हवा जहरीली बनी हुई है. नवंबर से दिसंबर तक एयर क्वालिटी इंडेक्स बार-बार 'सीवियर' स्तर पर पहुंच रहा है. कभी थोड़ा सुधार होता है, तो कभी फिर बिगड़ जाता है. आइए वैज्ञानिक तथ्यों और कारणों के साथ समझते हैं.यह भी पढ़ें: धुंध, धुआं और खतरे में धड़कन... क्या दिल्ली-NCR अदृश्य महामारी की चपेट में है?दिल्ली में प्रदूषण के मुख्य कारण क्या हैं?दिल्ली का प्रदूषण सिर्फ एक कारण से नहीं होता. कई स्रोत मिलकर हवा को जहरीला बनाते हैं. वैज्ञानिक अध्ययनों के अनुसार, मुख्य कारण ये हैं...वाहनों का धुआं: दिल्ली में वाहनों की संख्या बहुत ज्यादा है. ये PM2.5 और NO2 छोड़ते हैं. सेंटर फॉर साइंस एंड एनवायरनमेंट की रिपोर्ट कहती है कि सर्दियों में दैनिक प्रदूषण की बढ़ोतरी मुख्य रूप से ट्रैफिक से होती है.

Air pollution: Why legal must act

There are occasions when the weather remains a benign backdrop, a polite subject of discussion and a mere setting to the rhythms of corporate life. And then come moments when the atmosphere itself becomes a compliance crisis, an operational disruption and, most crucially, a governance imperative. India’s recurring winter smog is no longer a seasonal inconvenience. It has mutated into a structural risk. Air pollution has become a classic “wicked problem”, multi-causal, scientifically complex and administratively fragmented, yet its consequences for businesses and courts are immediate and material. This year again, the Supreme Court’s sober warnings, calling New Delhi’s air “very, very serious” and urging immediate steps beyond the cosmetic, are a juridical reminder that the quality of the air we breathe is inseparable from the quality of governance we practice. Environmental, social and governance (ESG) in the business vocabulary was meant to extend corporate responsibility beyond profit logics. Yet air quality, long dismissed as a civic or municipal concern, now stands at the very heart of ESG risk. It is an invisible pollutant with visible consequences: legal, financial, operational, reputational and, above all, ethical. From nuisance to risk The evidence is unequivocal. In recent months, New Delhi and North Indian cities once again crossed AQI (air quality index) levels of 450+, triggering stage III and stage IV of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP). Newspaper reports indicate that in several pockets, PM2.5 (particulate matter) concentrations surged to nearly 20 times the World Health Organisation safe limit. The Commission for Air Quality Management’s (CAQM) public bulletins reveal that despite episodic improvements, the underlying drivers, including stubble burning, industrial emissions, construction dust, biomass usage and transport pollution, continue to converge with meteorological inversions to create a toxic cocktail. Recent analyses by leading consulting and research institutions highlight the deepening business impact of deteriorating air quality in India. A Deloitte assessment notes that nearly 40% of companies in the NCR report measurable productivity losses during severe smog periods, with employee absenteeism rising 8% to 12%, alongside a steady increase in respiratory-related healthcare claims. Industry surveys further show that poor air quality disrupts logistics, inflates insurance costs and strains business continuity plans. Independent studies by organisations such as the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air reinforce that India’s pollution crisis is now a multi-city, multi-sector, multi-quarter phenomenon, not a Delhi-centric anomaly. For corporates, this translates into clear business impacts: Interruption of logistics when truck movement is halted under the GRAP; Construction bans affecting infrastructure, warehousing and real estate; Manufacturing curbs due to diesel generator-set and emissions restrictions; and Supply chain slowdowns caused by limitations on brick kilns, crushers and peripheral industries. Air quality today is a cross-enterprise risk, not a social welfare footnote. Legal architecture Indian jurisprudence has long treated the right to clean air as intrinsic to article 21 of the Constitution, which refers to the right to life and personal liberty. But the courts’ recent posture has been more assertive than ever. The Supreme Court has not only chastised governments for inertia. It has also emphasised that when AQI reaches hazardous levels, even the functioning of courts must adapt, prompting advisories to shift to virtual hearings. This judicial mood will inevitably influence enforcement. The statutory framework is broad: Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981; Environment (Protection) Act, 1986; Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) Act, 2021, granting supra-state authority; and The GRAP, now a standing, enforceable protocol. For corporates, non-compliance is not merely regulatory. It evolves into contractual (inability to perform); labour-linked (occupational safety); and securities-linked (business responsibility and sustainability reporting (BRSR) core disclosures) exposure. The BRSR core requirements of the Securities and Exchange Board of India demand granular, auditable environmental metrics, and regulators are increasingly cross-verifying sustainability statements. In this evolving landscape, air quality exposure is also a disclosure risk. Why legal must lead The assumption that environmental management is a purely technical subject is obsolete. In-house legal teams must lead because: Legal risk is governance risk. Board minutes, risk registers, investor filings and ESG claims require legal stewardship under scrutiny. Regulatory orders trigger contractual consequences. GRAP-led restrictions activate force majeure, customer notice obligations, renegotiations of service-level agreements and delivery recalibrations. ESG claims must withstand scrutiny. Greenwashing litigation is rising globally. Legal must insist on data integrity, third-party assurance, and traceable emission baselines. Employee health is a legal obligation. Hazardous AQI is now an occupational safety concern implicating duty of care, insurance adequacy and statutory compliance. The in-house legal team is the bridge between atmospheric volatility and corporate resilience. Strategy through partnerships Air pollution is too complex for isolated corporate action. Counsel should advise leadership to: Collaborate with local authorities on logistics optimisation during high-AQI periods; Co-develop dust-control infrastructure in industrial clusters; Participate in biomass-management and clean-energy transition initiatives; Engage with independent research organisations (the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air, the Centre for Science and Environment, and the Energy and Resources Institute) for credible data and policy advocacy. These partnerships elevate compliance into stewardship. National governance mindset While Delhi-NCR captures headlines, several Indian cities including Kanpur, Lucknow, Nagpur, Vapi, Ranchi and Ludhiana, record hazardous AQI episodes. Pollution does not respect state boundaries, as the Supreme Court has noted. This requires corporates to adopt: A nationally harmonised governance framework; Standardised contractual and disclosure principles; A pan-India supply-chain map identifying “air-stress zones”; and Portfolio-level risk thinking instead of site-level silos. Recent analyses, including the Greenpeace 2023 World Air Quality Report and reports by The Hindu newspaper show that India’s air pollution challenge is increasingly regional rather than localised. The 2024 India-Pakistan smog episode demonstrated how meteorology, emissions and agricultural cycles across borders can together create dense pollution episodes that blanket entire geographies. South Asia accounts for several of the world’s most polluted cities, with PM2.5 concentrations regularly exceeding global safety thresholds by five to 10 times. The World Bank’s assessments further highlight that such episodes impose not only severe public health burdens but also substantial economic losses by depressing productivity and increasing healthcare expenditure. For in-house counsel, this reinforces that air quality governance cannot be confined to municipal boundaries or state-level directives. It requires a harmonised risk lens that anticipates cross-border disruptions, regional supply chain impacts and co-ordinated regulatory responses across the northern industrial belt. The crisis sits at the intersection of agriculture, energy, transport and land use policy, areas that evolve slowly, making proactive corporate governance indispensable. From duty to leadership In-house counsel can sharpen organisational resilience by driving: Electrified logistics and hybrid or renewable backup power; Supplier training on dust and emissions management; Employee wellness interventions tied to measurable outcomes; and Community-level clean air initiatives that build social capital. Analyses by Deloitte, PwC and other global firms show that investors reward credible transition pathways, plans grounded in data and not rhetoric. Conclusion When the air turns toxic, the corporate mandate must expand beyond compliance. The Supreme Court’s stern message is more than judicial prose. It signals a new era of regulatory vigilance. For in-house counsel, this is a moment to lead, to translate atmospheric volatility into contractual resilience, operational readiness and credible disclosures. Clean air is a public good. But in a world where environmental risk maps directly to enterprise value, air quality governance is also a competitive virtue. Seasonal firefighting will no longer suffice. Long-term governance, assured data and cross-sector collaboration are now essential. The legal function must therefore rise from being a custodian of compliance to becoming the architect of environmental resilience, practical, principled and profoundly civic.

Delhi Sees Slight Air Quality Improvement, But Hotspots Remain in ‘Severe’ Zone

Although vehicle emissions and construction dust are ongoing major sources, experts point out that farm stubble burning has diminished significantly this season. Research from the Centre for Science and Environment highlighted that the crop burning period is largely over, with incidents markedly lower in Punjab and Haryana compared to previous years. Residents of the national capital experienced a modest easing in air pollution on Tuesday morning, following several days of ‘severe’ conditions that had gripped the city. Data from the Central Pollution Control Board’s (CPCB) Sameer app indicated Delhi’s overall Air Quality Index (AQI) at 381 as of 6:30 AM, classifying it as ‘very poor’. This marked an improvement from Monday’s average of 427, which had kept the city in the ‘severe’ category for the third straight day. Certain localities continued to bear the brunt of hazardous air. Wazirpur recorded the highest AQI at 434, closely trailed by Jahangirpuri at 430. Other stations, including those at Mundka, Delhi Technical University, and Nehru Nagar, registered readings between 420 and 424, firmly in the ‘severe’ range. According to CPCB standards, an AQI of 0-50 is deemed “good”, 51-100 “satisfactory”, 101-200 “moderate”, 201-300 “poor”, 301-400 “very poor”, and 401-500 “severe”. The previous day, thick smog reduced visibility across the city, complicating travel and prompting hundreds of flight disruptions. Airports and airlines issued alerts as low visibility persisted. Although vehicle emissions and construction dust are ongoing major sources, experts point out that farm stubble burning has diminished significantly this season. Research from the Centre for Science and Environment highlighted that the crop burning period is largely over, with incidents markedly lower in Punjab and Haryana compared to previous years.

Delhi air quality improves slightly; several flights cancelled and trains delayed due to fog

While local pollution sources such as vehicular emissions, road dust and construction activity continue to be major contributors, experts say stubble burning is no longer a dominant factor this season. Research by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) noted that the crop-burning season is nearly over. Official data indicates that incidents of stubble burning in Punjab and Haryana have reduced substantially compared to previous years. Delhi-NCR saw a slight improvement in air quality and visibility on Tuesday as north-westerly surface winds helped disperse the dense fog that had blanketed the region on Monday. The improvement brought limited relief to residents after several days of choking pollution. However, authorities cautioned that disruptions to flight operations at the Delhi airport were likely to continue, even as conditions gradually recovered. Several trains are also delayed. According to data from the Central Pollution Control Board’s (CPCB) Sameer app, Delhi’s air quality index (AQI) stood at 381 at around 6:30 am on Tuesday. This placed the city in the ‘very poor’ category, a noticeable decline from Monday’s average AQI of 427, which marked the third consecutive day of ‘severe’ pollution levels in the national capital. Delhi AQI today Despite the overall improvement, several areas continued to record dangerously high pollution levels. Wazirpur was the worst-affected locality, with an AQI reading of 434. Jahangirpuri followed closely with an AQI of 430. Monitoring stations at Mundka, Delhi Technical University (DTU) and Nehru Nagar also reported ‘severe’ air quality, with AQI levels ranging between 420 and 424. Several flights are currently facing delays at Delhi’s IGI Airport across multiple airlines due to low visibility. SpiceJet services affected include flights to Gorakhpur, Mumbai, Srinagar, Udaipur and Kochi. IndiGo flights to Jaipur, Bhopal and Jammu & Kashmir are also delayed. Akasa Air’s Delhi–Bagdogra flight and Virgin Atlantic’s Delhi–Bhopal service are among those impacted. As per Flightradar24, three flights have been cancelled so far, while around 82 flights are operating behind schedule at the airport. SpiceJet tweeted, “Due to bad weather(poor visibility) in Ayodhya (AYJ), all departures/arrivals and their consequential flights may be affected. Passengers are requested to keep a check on their flight status .” Trains delayed today Meanwhile, the dense fog which has gripped Delhi and parts of north India, significantly reducing visibility, has also forced trains to operate at slower speeds. Several trains heading to Delhi from the eastern region are running hours behind schedule, with over 20 services affected so far. The Prayagraj Express is delayed by more than three hours, while the New Delhi–Varanasi Vande Bharat Express departed about 90 minutes late. The Rewa–Anand Vihar Terminal Superfast Express is running over four hours behind schedule. The Sangam Express, Shiv Ganga Express and the New Delhi Tejas Rajdhani Express have also been delayed by multiple hours due to foggy conditions. On Monday, a thick haze had enveloped large parts of Delhi, sharply reducing visibility and making it difficult to see even a short distance ahead. The poor conditions significantly affected air traffic as hundreds of flights were impacted. While local pollution sources such as vehicular emissions, road dust and construction activity continue to be major contributors, experts say stubble burning is no longer a dominant factor this season. Research by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) noted that the crop-burning season is nearly over. Official data indicates that incidents of stubble burning in Punjab and Haryana have reduced substantially compared to previous years. As per CPCB norms, an AQI between 0 and 50 is considered ‘good’, 51–100 ‘satisfactory’, 101–200 ‘moderate’, 201–300 ‘poor’, 301–400 ‘very poor’ and 401–500 ‘severe’.

Why Are Indian Farmers Losing Crops? The Soil Crisis Explained

A recent study by the Centre for Science and Environment has exposed a critical threat to India’s agricultural foundation: widespread soil nutrient depletion affecting millions of farmers nationwide. The research reveals that approximately 64% of India’s soil samples show nitrogen deficiency, while 48% lack adequate organic carbon—two nutrients essential for healthy crop growth and sustained agricultural productivity. The Numbers Tell a Troubling Story Beyond nitrogen and carbon, the crisis extends to micronutrients. About 56% of Indian soil is deficient in boron, 34% lacks sufficient zinc, and 19% shows iron deficiency. These shortages directly impact crop yields, quality, and nutritional value. Madhya Pradesh, one of the most actively tested states under the Soil Health Card Program, exemplifies the problem. Despite using less nitrogen fertilizer than the national average, 64% of its soil still shows nitrogen deficiency, while 61% of samples from northern plains and central plateau regions lack organic carbon. The consequences are severe. Nitrogen deficiency can reduce crop yields by 25% or more, causing stunted growth and yellowing leaves. Organic carbon depletion weakens soil structure, reduces moisture retention, and diminishes climate resilience—making crops more vulnerable during droughts. For farmers, this translates to lower incomes, inferior crop quality, and increased expenses on fertilizers that fail to deliver guaranteed results. Solutions Within Reach The CSE report emphasizes that recovery is possible through organic interventions. Farmyard manure, vermicompost, and biochar can restore soil health and rebuild nutrient balance. Remarkably, increasing soil organic carbon by just 0.1% could significantly boost crop productivity while absorbing substantial carbon dioxide, supporting India’s climate goals.

Delhi Air Pollution: गैस चैंबर बनी दिल्ली, AQI 500 के पार, कोहरे से थमीं फ्लाइट्स और सड़कों पर कोहराम

वैज्ञानिकों ने Delhi Air Pollution के पीछे चौंकाने वाले कारण बताए हैं। सेंटर फॉर साइंस एंड एनवायरनमेंट की वैज्ञानिक शरणजीत कौर के मुताबिक, पराली को दोष देना गलत है। पिछले 10 दिनों में प्रदूषण में पराली का हिस्सा सिर्फ 0.1 प्रतिशत रहा है। असली वजह गाड़ियों से निकलने वाला धुआं है। सर्दियों में हवा की गति कम होने से यह धुआं वातावरण में जम जाता है। पंजाब और हरियाणा में इस बार 80 प्रतिशत कम पराली जली है, फिर भी हवा साफ नहीं है।

दिल्ली-एनसीआर में जहरीली हवा का कहर, AQI 500 पार; GRAP-4 बेअसर, सांस लेना हुआ मुश्किल

दिल्ली-एनसीआर में Delhi Air Pollution ने एक बार फिर खतरनाक स्तर पार कर लिया है। बीते तीन-चार दिनों से राजधानी और आसपास के इलाके गैस चैंबर में तब्दील हैं। वजीरपुर और रोहिणी जैसे क्षेत्रों में AQI 500 के पार पहुंच चुका है। GRAP-4 की सख्त पाबंदियां लागू होने के बावजूद लोगों को राहत नहीं मिल रही है। शहर में धुएं और धुंध की मोटी परत छाई हुई है। हालात इतने खराब हैं कि बच्चों, बुजुर्गों और मरीजों के लिए सांस लेना तक मुश्किल हो गया है। अस्पतालों में सांस और आंखों से जुड़ी शिकायतों के मामले तेजी से बढ़े हैं। पूरी खबर विस्तार से दिल्ली की हवा इस समय “Severe Plus” श्रेणी में दर्ज की गई है। केंद्रीय प्रदूषण नियंत्रण बोर्ड (CPCB) के आंकड़ों के मुताबिक, कई इलाकों में हवा की गुणवत्ता लगातार खतरनाक स्तर पर बनी हुई है। सर्दियों की शुरुआत के साथ ही प्रदूषण की मार तेज हो गई है। राजधानी के अलावा नोएडा, गाजियाबाद, गुरुग्राम और फरीदाबाद जैसे एनसीआर शहरों में भी हालात गंभीर हैं। सुबह और शाम के समय विजिबिलिटी बेहद कम हो जा रही है। लोगों को आंखों में जलन, गले में खराश और सांस फूलने जैसी समस्याओं का सामना करना पड़ रहा है। यूपी और हरियाणा भी प्रदूषण की चपेट में Delhi Air Pollution का असर अब सिर्फ दिल्ली तक सीमित नहीं रहा। उत्तर प्रदेश के नोएडा, गाजियाबाद और मेरठ में रेड अलर्ट जैसे हालात बन चुके हैं। हरियाणा के गुरुग्राम, फरीदाबाद और रोहतक में भी हवा बेहद जहरीली दर्ज की गई है। एयर क्वालिटी मैप पर ये सभी इलाके लाल निशान में दिखाई दे रहे हैं। खास बात यह है कि इस बार दिवाली बीत चुकी है और पराली जलाने की घटनाएं भी अपेक्षाकृत कम हुई हैं, इसके बावजूद प्रदूषण कम नहीं हो रहा। पराली नहीं, गाड़ियां बनीं बड़ी वजह वैज्ञानिकों ने Delhi Air Pollution के पीछे पराली से ज्यादा शहरी स्रोतों को जिम्मेदार बताया है। सेंटर फॉर साइंस एंड एनवायरनमेंट (CSE) की वैज्ञानिक शरणजीत कौर के अनुसार, बीते 10 दिनों में प्रदूषण में पराली का योगदान केवल 0.1 प्रतिशत रहा है। असल समस्या शहरों में बढ़ते वाहनों की संख्या और उनसे निकलने वाला धुआं है। सर्दियों में हवा की रफ्तार कम होने से यह धुआं वातावरण में ही फंस जाता है। पंजाब और हरियाणा में इस बार लगभग 80 प्रतिशत कम पराली जली, फिर भी हवा साफ नहीं हो सकी। मौसम विभाग ने बताई नमी और हवा की रफ्तार भारतीय मौसम विभाग (IMD) के वैज्ञानिक नरेश कुमार ने प्रदूषण की मौजूदा स्थिति पर जानकारी दी। उन्होंने बताया कि उत्तर भारत में बादलों के पैच बने हुए हैं। Western Disturbance के असर से वातावरण में नमी बढ़ गई है। फिलहाल कोई मजबूत सिस्टम सक्रिय नहीं है, जिससे हवा की गति बेहद कम बनी हुई है। इसी वजह से कोहरा और धुआं जमीन के पास जमा हो गया है। मौसम वैज्ञानिकों का कहना है कि जब तक तेज हवाएं नहीं चलेंगी, तब तक Delhi Air Pollution से राहत मिलना मुश्किल है।

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.