• Clean Air & Sustainable Mobility

Govt plans to carry out major infra work at nightto minimise hitto traffic

Delhi govt will carry out all construction work for big-ticket projects during the night, so that daytime traffic does not suffer. PWD minister Parvesh Verma said several big projects are in the pipeline, such as the second Ring Road and a new secretariat complex. Mitashi SIngh, the programme manager at the Centre for Science and Environment, said: "Allowing heavy vehicle movement at night may offer people relief from morning traffic congestion, which could reduce emissions too. However, the night-time dust must be controlled as well. While some areas in the city may experience reduced congestion, others such as Dhaula Kuan might face night-time traffic jams." "Developers may face losses, and increased manpower may be required to manage the shifts, " she said.

• Clean Air & Sustainable Mobility

Gurugram air quality slips to ‘poor’ post-Grap; Experts cite gridlock emissions

A day after the Graded Response Action Plan (Grap) came into effect in the National Capital Region (NCR), several key stretches in Gurugram recorded a rise in air pollution levels, with air quality slipping into the “poor” category due to heavy vehicular congestion and dust from poorly maintained roads, officials and experts said on Wednesday. According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), Gurugram’s four continuous ambient air quality monitoring stations reported an average AQI reading of 241, up from 216 recorded on Tuesday. The Vikas Sadan station reported the worst air quality in the city, with PM2.5 levels touching 320 µg/m³ and both PM10 and CO levels exceeding safe limits. On Monday, the city’s AQI was “moderate” at 191. District administration officials attributed the deterioration to massive congestion along the Delhi–Jaipur–Gurugram Expressway (NH-48), Shankar Chowk–Sirhol Toll Plaza, and the Gurugram–Faridabad Road. They said traffic jams, coupled with dust emissions and road damage, caused micro-level spikes in pollution. An HT spot check found bumper-to-bumper traffic on a one-kilometre stretch of Old Railway Road near Rajiv Chowk underpass, where vehicles were stalled for nearly ten minutes during peak hours. Around 2pm, private regional air quality monitors reported AQI levels of 169 µg/m³ in nearby Civil Lines and Sector 14. At the same time, NH-48 recorded AQI 174. Among other major routes, Sohna Road recorded PM10 at 227 µg/m³ and PM2.5 at 52 µg/m³, Gurugram–Faridabad Road showed PM10 129 and PM2.5 47, while Shankar Chowk–Cyber City logged PM10 156 and PM2.5 63. Kaushik Deb, executive director of the Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago (EPIC India), explained how long waiting times on roads significantly increase fuel consumption and emissions. “When vehicles move steadily at optimal speed, the engine operates in a more efficient regime, producing fewer pollutants. Congestion forces frequent acceleration and idling, worsening efficiency and spiking emissions,” Deb said. He added that the region’s transport system was not designed for current commuting demand. “The mismatch between road capacity and vehicle volume leads to constant congestion, with vehicles occupying most of the carriageway and leaving little space for smooth movement,” he said. Citing earlier research by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), officials noted that vehicular emissions contribute nearly 26% of PM2.5 pollutants in the city’s air. “Breathing toxic air every day in Delhi-NCR silently shortens years of life and traffic jams only make it worse,” Deb said.

• Urban Lab

On Point with Kartikeya Sharma: Can green crackers really deliver a cleaner Diwali?

This Diwali, Delhi stands at the crossroads of celebration and crisis. With air pollution levels already in the ‘poor’ category and expected to worsen in the coming days, the pressing question is: can green crackers make a real difference? In an effort to balance tradition with public health concerns, the Supreme Court has permitted the limited sale and use of green firecrackers in Delhi-NCR. This order, arriving after years of legal battles and mounting health concerns, restricts sales to licensed vendors and fixed time slots, allowing green crackers to be burst only on specific days and during designated hours. The Delhi Government has welcomed this move, saying it enables citizens to celebrate Diwali in the traditional way. However, experts remain divided. While green crackers reportedly reduce emissions by 30–40%, they are not pollution-free. Recent studies raise serious concerns about the ultra-fine particles they still emit—and whether enforcement can prevent counterfeit products from flooding the market. As Delhi once again teeters on the edge of becoming a gas chamber, News9’s Deputy Managing Editor Kartikeya Sharma unpacks the science, policy, and politics behind green crackers. Do they really work? Is a “less toxic” Diwali enough? And can Delhi breathe easier this festive season? On Point With Kartikeya Sharma raises these questions with Dr Sanjeev Agrawal, Former Additional Director at the Central Pollution Control Board; Sharanjeet Kaur, Deputy Programme Manager at the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE); Bhavreen Kandhari, Environmental Activist; and Sunil Dahiya, Founder and Lead Analyst at EnviroCatalysts, exploring whether green crackers can truly deliver a cleaner Diwali and what their impact means for Delhi-NCR’s air quality.

• Down To Earth

Early investments in climate resilience could save India billions in disaster management

A single one-in-twenty year disaster event could send India reeling with losses worth more than $11 billion (almost a trillion rupees) – the highest among eight countries assessed by the International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED), in a new analysis. But early investments in resilience and social programmes could cover the costs of damage for a fraction of what they cost today, the study says. Recently, in Punjab, unusually high levels of rainfall combined with the controlled release of water from the Ranji Sagar Dam sank 176,000 hectares of farmland across 2,000 villages. The state government has estimated the extent of monetary losses to be ₹129 billion, including destruction to agriculture, infrastructure, and livestock. Severe floods were also reported in Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Manipur this year. India is especially in need for adaptation measures that will adequately cover the costs of escalating disasters. In 2024, India saw extreme weather events on 255 of 274 days surveyed by the Centre for Science and Environment. The IIED study analysed four types of interventions to gauge the costs and benefits of each when it comes to disaster management, finding that more than humanitarian aid, early investments in resilience (such as employment schemes and direct benefit transfers) had the biggest impact in reducing the extent of losses from disasters. “A lot of communities, when hit by a disaster, sell their assets. With late humanitarian responses, like post-disaster aid, you can bring losses down to 59%. But if early resilience investments are made, or anticipated direct benefit transfers are made, you can bring losses down to below 50%,” said Ritu Bharadwaj, lead writer of the study, in a press conference. Every $1 invested in early resilience yields $5.17 in avoided losses and development gains, the study found. Improving social protection The study examined the disaster risk infrastructure in eight middle and low income countries across Asia and Africa, which have high vulnerability to disaster events. These were Bangladesh, Ethiopia, Ghana, India, Malawi, Pakistan, Senegal and Uganda. To assess gaps and areas for improvement in resilience, the IIED study used an index tool called ASPIRE, which compared each country’s existing policies, systems, and social programmes with 69 indicators to assess their disaster resilience preparedness. “What we found were two types of gaps. One is financial and technical, for example having early warning systems and digitised social protection registries to deliver aid,” said Bharadwaj. “The other is policy-level gaps that countries can address themselves without assistance. Many countries don’t acknowledge that social protection can build climate resilience, but what they’re spending on existing programmes can deliver on this too.” India’s MGNREGA scheme, which guarantees employment in rural areas for 100 days of the year, emerged as an example of social programmes that integrate climate risks and help avert losses. In 2019, the government extended the scheme to 150 days when drought or natural calamities are notified in a rural area during that financial year, which “provide livelihood security during climate shocks,” the study says. However, the absence of a formal finance mechanism that links disaster relief with social protection has limited India’s adaptive capacity. Though MGNREGA makes for a good example of how social protection programmes can include climate adaptation goals, the study points out that other social protection programmes don’t take the same approach. For a one-in-twenty-year event leading to losses and damages worth $11 billion, it would cost $48.5 billion to cover this through existing social programmes. By comparison, investments in anticipatory direct benefit transfers can cover the cost in $5.4 billion, and early resilience investments can cover the cost for $2.2 billion. Gaps and areas for improvement Generally, national strategies for development “often continue to view social protection as reactive or consumption-oriented, missing opportunities to promote adaptation,” the IIED study says. “The biggest problem, whether we work with the NGOs or the bankers or various funding agencies, is we don’t talk to each other. So it is very, very difficult in a government scenario to get interdepartmental coordination [for climate reslience],” said Kunal Satyarthi, joint secretary with the Ministry of Rural Affairs, in response to the IIED study. “I also believe we need to decentralise disaster management, and if communities become volunteers for disaster management, it would improve resilience the most.” In India, climate resilience is also complicated by regulations that could subvert relief efforts. Changes to the country’s Manual for Drought Management in 2016, for example, made it more difficult for jurisdictions to declare drought, and in turn for farmers to access relief, Scroll had reported. Heat waves are also not recognised as disaster in several states, impeding disaster management funds from addressing damages caused by extreme heat.

• Industrial Pollution

Smart GST Reforms in Recycling Can Unlock ₹1.82 Lakh Crore for Bharat’s Circular Economy Story CSE Study Report

October 14th: Uncollected Goods and Services Tax from informal recycling supply chains totaled ₹65,300 crore in 2024-25, more than double the ₹30,900 crore collected from formal sector operations, according to a Centre for Science and Environment report released Monday. The gap could widen to ₹1.73 lakh crore by 2035 under current conditions, the 'Relax the Tax' study projects, with formal collections reaching only ₹86,700 crore against total estimated tax value of ₹2.60 lakh crore in India's ₹5 lakh crore recycling economy. The report, available at cseindia.org/relax-the-tax-12819, estimates that approximately 95 per cent of paper and glass, 80 per cent of plastics, 90 per cent of e-waste, and 65 per cent of metals flow through informal chains where GST is not collected. The informal sector includes ragpickers, small dealers, and medium aggregators who typically operate without GST registration. "You pay your taxes, you check the documents, and still a notice arrives years later," a Delhi recycler interviewed for the study said, describing the compliance risks faced by formal sector operators. The recycler, who runs a paper recycling unit with ten employees, asked how businesses plan expansion under such conditions. Some companies have reported input tax credit reversals that converted ₹1 crore of tax credits into ₹2.5 crore liabilities after penalties and interest are applied, according to case studies documented in the CSE analysis. In certain instances, these disputed notices freeze working capital for months, the report notes. Current GST regulations make recyclers liable for upstream tax fraud even when they maintain proper documentation including sourcing from GST-registered suppliers, maintaining e-way bills, and making payments through official banking channels, the study states. The liability shifts to the last visible entity in the supply chain-typically the formal recycler. With scrap materials currently taxed at 18 per cent GST, the same rate as many finished goods, that spread makes paper-only trades attractive higher up the chain and pushes compliance risk toward the last visible, solvent entity-the recycler, according to the report. Much of India's plastic and other scrap originates from unorganized chains: ragpickers to small dealers to medium aggregators to major dealers, with GST typically entering only at the last leg when a major dealer invoices a recycler. The report examines two policy scenarios that industry associations have referenced in their representations to government. The first involves Reverse Charge Mechanism for scrap materials, where the recycler rather than the middleman pays GST directly to government, eliminating the input tax credit claim process. Under RCM, liability shifts to the documented buyer-the recycler-who pays GST directly to the exchequer, starving paper-only dealer chains and anchoring collection where there is an audit trail. The second scenario involves reducing GST rates on scrap from 18 per cent to approximately 1 per cent. Keeping finished goods at 18 per cent while bringing down scrap rates removes the arbitrage that drives fraud, the report states. Shrinking that spread reduces the payoff from fake billing without touching tax at the value-addition stage. CSE's scenario modeling finds that every reform pathway flips losses into gains, according to the report. The strongest case-full formalization with a 12 per cent rate-yields an estimated net positive of ₹1.82 lakh crore by 2035, compared to the projected net negative of ₹86,700 crore under status quo conditions. Industry associations representing formal recyclers have filed representations with the GST Council citing working capital constraints and compliance risks documented in the CSE study. The report identifies several operational challenges beyond the headline tax rates, the study states. These include consumption-to-business flows left outside the GST framework, misclassification of materials, refund processing friction, and rate mismatches that strand input tax credits. Lenders evaluating project financing for recycling infrastructure cite unpredictable cash flows as a primary concern when legitimate buyers face legacy liabilities for upstream non-compliance, the report states. This affects underwriting decisions for capacity expansion across plastics, paper, metals, and e-waste processing facilities. A clearer line of sight on tax and credits typically lowers underwriting friction for plastics recycling investments including hot-wash systems, near-infrared sorting equipment, and de-odor units that lift resin quality, the report notes. For paper recycling, investments include pulping and fiber-recovery upgrades to meet recycled-content targets. In metals recycling, delayed projects involve compact shears and shredders, plus sensor-based sorting to improve yield and alloy integrity. When scrap is trapped in informal chains, cities face overflowing landfills while ragpickers get squeezed on price, according to the study. When GST flows are predictable, formal recyclers can invest in better processing, creating safer jobs and cleaner neighborhoods, the report states. Industry estimates cited in the report suggest formalization could create up to one million jobs within the recycling sector over the next decade, particularly in sectors including plastic sorting, metal recovery, and paper recycling. The jobs would span collection, processing, and logistics functions. The CSE analysis notes that municipalities could benefit from improved waste segregation, reduced landfill burden, and more efficient material recovery if recycling chains formalize. Cities currently face overflowing landfills while recyclable materials remain trapped in informal channels with limited processing capacity. The report recommends linking GST benefits to verified Extended Producer Responsibility flows to ensure that tax benefits track real material movement, not just paper trails. It also suggests establishing Common Facility Centres so MSME recyclers can upgrade quality and compliance capabilities. Additional recommendations include developing city-level transition plans to map informal chains and create formalization pathways, and providing worker recognition and social protection for ragpickers and waste collectors who form the foundation of India's recycling ecosystem. Beyond fiscal impacts, the report states that a strengthened formal recycling sector contributes directly to India's climate goals. By keeping plastics, metals, and paper in circulation, recyclers reduce demand for virgin materials, lower carbon emissions, and foster a circular economy that can scale nationally, according to the study. The report notes that smarter GST rules can help India recover more materials, waste less, and bring the green economy into the mainstream. Collecting tax where accountability is strongest, narrowing the spread that invites fraud, and building a system where compliance pays are key elements, the study states. Recycling represents a capital expenditure story embedded within a tax story, according to the report. Stabilizing cash flows allows projects to move from pilot to plant-scale operations. With Reverse Charge Mechanism implementation and lower scrap rates, plus practical enablers including EPR-GST alignment and Common Facility Centres, India can attract private capital led by plastics and paper sectors, with metals contributing, without diluting tax at the point of value creation, the study concludes. Industry associations have emphasized that these reforms align with India's broader green economy strategy and circular economy transition goals, according to representations filed with the GST Council. The associations have cited the CSE report's quantified projections in their submissions to policymakers. The study was released as part of CSE's broader research on waste management, circular economy policies, and environmental taxation frameworks in India.

• Down To Earth

How to harness technology for effective disaster management

In recent years, India has faced growing vulnerability to the rising frequency and intensity of extreme weather events, such as more frequent and severe floods, landslides, cloudbursts, and mudslides. These disasters cause significant loss of lives and livelihoods, damage infrastructure, and affect ecology and public health. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change in its sixth Assessment Report (AR6) has projected that in the coming years, India will experience intensified summer monsoons, increased heavy rainfall events, more frequent floods, and prolonged, intense heatwaves. A report by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) has already revealed a disturbing trend: India experienced extreme weather events on 322 days in 2024, 318 days in 2023, and 314 days in 2022. These extreme events include heavy rain, floods, landslides, heat and cold waves, cyclones and lightning. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), at least 1,528 casualties occurred during June-September monsoon season, with Madhya Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, and Maharashtra being among the worst-affected states. In 2024 alone, 3,472 people lost their lives, 67,399 livestock perished, 4.07 million hectares of cropped land were affected, and 2.9 lakh houses were damaged due to extreme events. These extreme weather events and their impact draw attention to India’s climate resilience, especially through the integration of modern technologies such as Remote Sensing (RS) and Geographic Information Systems (GIS), which have become essential for effective management, adaptation, and mitigation efforts. First, let’s have a brief spatial overview of extreme events and their impact.

• Sustainable Food Systems

Rajasthan High Court Restrains FSSAI and GEAC From Granting Permission for GM Food Sale Until Regulations Are Framed

The Rajasthan High Court has barred the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) and the Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC) from granting permission for the sale, manufacturing, distribution or import of any genetically modified (GM) food or edible items in India until proper regulations are framed. They also cited a study by the Centre for Science and Environment, which detected the presence of GM ingredients in food items available inThe PIL sought an immediate prohibition on GM food and processed food, withdrawal of permissions granted by GEAC for their import and sale, and removal of existing stock from the market.

• Industrial Pollution

Smart GST Reforms in Recycling Can Unlock ₹1.82 Lakh Crore for Bharat’s Circular Economy Story: CSE Study Report

October 14th: Uncollected Goods and Services Tax from informal recycling supply chains totaled ₹65,300 crore in 2024-25, more than double the ₹30,900 crore collected from formal sector operations, according to a Centre for Science and Environment report released Monday. The gap could widen to ₹1.73 lakh crore by 2035 under current conditions, the 'Relax the Tax' study projects, with formal collections reaching only ₹86,700 crore against total estimated tax value of ₹2.60 lakh crore in India's ₹5 lakh crore recycling economy.

• Sustainable Food Systems

जीन परिवर्तित खाद्य पदार्थों की बिक्री पर नियम बनने तक रोक: राजस्थान हाईकोर्ट ने FSSAI और GEAC को दिए सख्त निर्देश

राजस्थान हाईकोर्ट ने खाद्य नियामक प्राधिकरण FSSAI और Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC) को तब तक किसी भी जीन परिवर्तित (GM) खाद्य पदार्थ या खाने योग्य वस्तु की बिक्री, निर्माण, वितरण या आयात की अनुमति देने से रोक दिया है, जब तक इस संबंध में आवश्यक नियम नहीं बना लिए याचिकाकर्ताओं ने सेंटर फॉर साइंस एंड एनवायरनमेंट द्वारा किए गए अध्ययन को भी पेश किया, जिसमें भारतीय बाजार में उपलब्ध कुछ उत्पादों में GM अवयवों की मौजूदगी पाई गई थी। उन्होंने मांग की कि GM खाद्य पदार्थों और प्रसंस्कृत खाद्य की बिक्री पर तुरंत प्रतिबंध लगाया जाए, पहले से दिए गए आयात और बिक्री के सभी अनुमतियों को वापस लिया जाए और बाजार में मौजूद स्टॉक को हटाया जाए।

• Clean Air & Sustainable Mobility

Public transport falters, petrol sales rise: Can Delhi’s EV policy fill the gap?

Virendra Kumar, a former government staffer in Delhi, is a regular bus commuter. But in recent months, he finds himself waiting longer – several CNG buses in the city have been decommissioned, shrinking the fleet. Half the buses in the city had wait times of over 15 minutes, as per a study by the Centre for Science and Environment last year. Periods that have grown longer since then, as the overall number of public buses has decreased from 7,683 to 5,216 over the last year. The older buses are retiring, newer electric ones are being inducted, but as the overall fleet thins out, the city has continued to choke. After all, an efficient public transport system is crucial to tackle vehicular pollution – Delhi’s biggest air quality threat. The Rekha Gupta government has promised to fix both problems: adding more electric buses while improving last-mile connectivity. It has also introduced smaller ‘Devi’ buses (renamed from ‘Mohalla’ buses) to serve less accessible neighbourhoods. However, the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) remains a piece of the capital’s puzzle. Between 2021 and 2024, EVs made up only 5–10 percent of all new vehicle registrations. This year, the share has risen to 15 percent – still far from the 25 percent target the city was meant to reach by 2024. Meanwhile, petrol consumption in Delhi has surged as lakhs of new vehicles hit the roads. Over the last five years, petrol use has jumped 55 percent, from 6.6 lakh metric tonnes to 10.35 lakh, according to data from the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas. More petrol sold in Delhi than 3 states in north India Among the 10 north Indian states and union territories, Delhi ranks fifth in petrol consumption. With a requirement of 10.35 lakh MT in 2024-25, Delhi’s petrol usage surpassed the combined consumption of Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, and Jammu and Kashmir. At 1.5 crore, Delhi has more vehicles than the combined strength of Mumbai, Chennai, and Kolkata and is registering 2,100 new vehicles every day. Before Covid, the highest petrol intake was witnessed in 2017-18 at 9.27 lakh MT — almost comparable with the latest figure for 2024-25. It was only in 2023-24 that Delhi, recovering from the Covid slump, surpassed the 2017-18 level. As far as diesel is concerned, the consumption has gone down to one-third in the last 10 years: from 15 lakh MT to 5.5 lakh MT. Apart from vehicles, diesel is also used in industries and generators. What has led to this drastic drop is restriction on DG sets and industries switching to cleaner fuels due to air pollution. “A drop in diesel sales has been compensated with an increase in petrol. Petrol vehicles registering today will continue to be on the road for the next 15 years, so petrol consumption will increase. What is needed is accelerating the transition to EVs,” said Amit Bhatt, managing director (India) at the International Council on Clean Transportation. Last year, an ICCT study revealed that in the real world, BS VI vehicles – with the strict vehicle emission norms in India – released gases several times more than they did during lab tests. EV policy: Target missed The share of EVs among vehicles has not gone up as envisaged. The 2020 Delhi EV policy aimed to achieve 25 percent EV adoption rate by 2024. Until 2024, the number hovered around 10 percent. This year, it has improved to 15 percent. The new BJP government has decided to extend the current EV policy till March next year and is preparing a revised blueprint. An official from the Transport Department said that the new EV policy could provide more incentives for vehicle buyers. Earlier this year, the media, citing a draft EV policy, said that the Delhi government could ban petrol, diesel and CNG vehicles. Despite the government’s focus on EV adoption, all autorickshaws —3,683— registered this year were CNG. Last year, one-third of the total 4,247 registrations were electric. Chandu Chaurasia, president of the Capital Driver Welfare Association (Gramin Seva), blamed it on the time taken to charge electric autorickshaws and lack of charging infrastructure. “If an auto shuttles between fixed routes, it’s affordable to have an electric auto. But for those who travel long distances, a driver can’t spend 2-3 hours charging in the middle of his shift. Ideally, an auto should run at least 200 km on one charge — which is not the case now,” he said. Vikas Nimesh, assistant professor at the School of Public Policy at IIT-Delhi, attributed the slump to the withdrawal of subsidies last year. “Recent months have seen a slowdown in new (EV) registrations, largely due to the withdrawal of purchase subsidies — a reminder that sustained policy support remains critical for long-term adoption,” he said. EV adoption in the light motor vehicle and two-wheeler segments—the most sold vehicle categories—has somewhat stagnated too, shows the government data on the Vahan portal. In the two-wheeler segment in Delhi, the share of EVs has come down from 9 percent to 7 percent in the last four years. On the other hand, the share of EVs in the light motor vehicle category has increased from 2 percent to 7 percent. However, a combined share of EVs in this segment in the last four years remained as low as 3 percent. When asked what the EV policy 2.0 should comprise, ICCT’s Bhatt said that the government should phase out ICE (internal combustion engines that run on fossil fuels) by 2035; that original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) should be mandatorily asked to sell a certain portion of EVs; and charging facilities should be extended to housing societies and the right to charge be recognised. Nimesh seconded Bhatt. “The next leap must focus on scaling shared, freight, and last-mile electrification; mandating EV-ready infrastructure in buildings; expanding fast-charging corridors; and accelerating the phase-out of high-emitting vehicles. To truly curb vehicular pollution, Delhi’s EV journey must now evolve from policy ambition to systems-level execution — where electric mobility becomes the default, not the alternative.” Work in progress: Electric buses Delhi mostly travels by two modes of public transport: buses and metro. According to the Economic Survey of Delhi, daily Metro ridership surpassed that of public buses in 2023-24 with 45.26 lakh commuters using it daily against 25.02 lakh for DTC and 16.39 lakh for cluster buses. A CSE report from 2024 revealed that though bus infrastructure had expanded, the service was poor. “Less than one percent of the bus stops have 10 minutes waiting time with a maximum of 5 minutes of delay. As much as 50 per cent of the bus stops have very high waiting time — more than 15 minutes,” read the report. An ICCT report on accessibility levels of these buses shows inequitable distribution of bus network. Areas in Delhi’s periphery, such as Narela, Bawana, Najafgarh, Fatehpur Beri, are least accessible. To make cramped neighbourhoods more accessible, the previous AAP government had introduced smaller 9-metre-long electric buses. So far, more than 1,100 such buses are on the road. They mostly undertake shorter trips up to 12 km. The Transportation Research and Injury Prevention (TRIP) Centre at IIT-Delhi has suggested 18 routes for these buses under the Delhi government’s route rationalisation initiative, while the rest of the routes were prepared by the Delhi government. “These routes were decided based on identification of areas that lacked access to any formal public transport (buses or Metro), and combining this information with travel demand for each of those areas, that is, where people go, at what time, and the route they take. The travel demand was estimated using phone-based big data. We also estimated the travel demand being served by e-rickshaws and shared autorickshaws, and estimated the part of this demand that will switch to Devi buses,” said Girish Agrawal, professor at TRIP Centre. These are some of Delhi’s most populated areas and lack bigger and wider roads as seen in central and south Delhi. Since the routes were announced recently, the next challenge for the government is another set of interventions: clearing roads of encroachment, installing bus stops where needed and route maps. “Just like Metro maps, we need to make bus routes more legible. We will soon install route maps with details on the number of stops,” said assistant professor Rahul Goel at Trip Centre. As far as the public bus fleet is concerned, the adoption is faster while the sheer number of the buses has gone down. Of the total 5,216 buses, 64 percent — or 3,317— are electric, said Vishwendra, special commissioner at the Delhi Transport Department. The Delhi government is likely to add 2,040 more electric buses by March 2026, he said. Vishwendra termed the 9-metre buses a “game changer” as they could provide last mile connectivity due to their maneuverability in tight spaces. It’s estimated that Delhi requires at least 11,000 public buses. But Delhi Transport Minister Pankaj Singh, in an event last month, said that around 8,000 were adequate once routes are rationalised. Agrawal said the TRIP Centre will soon undertake a city-wide survey to understand barriers in bus use for longer routes. “We will also conduct stakeholder engagement with multiple RWAs and other neighbourhood level organisations to understand their public transport needs, and suggestions for improvement. Unlike Devi buses, the route rationalisation project with longer routes will study existing routes and therefore, the changes, if any, to be made to a route will have to account for its existing usage to avoid difficulties for commuters,” he said. Bold moves and U-turns The BJP government began with some bold moves. Environment minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa in March said that overage petrol and diesel vehicles would be denied fuel stations across the city starting July 1. The ban lasted two days. Facing backlash, the government recommended that the Commission for Air Quality Management roll back its decision. Sirsa blamed it on technological challenges and said that the fitness of a vehicle should also be considered along with the age of the vehicle. In interim relief, the Supreme Court in August too said that no coercive action should be taken against overage vehicles overturning its 2018 order. Sunil Dahiya, founder of EnviroCatalysts, a Delhi-based data and research organisation, said that a composite matrix should decide the fitness of vehicles. “Purely deciding the fitness of a vehicle on the basis of its age is not the right way to go about it. As of now, age of the vehicle is the only criterion that can be used. But in future we should move to a composite criteria that should include distance travelled, fitness and emission norms,” he said. Transport Minister Pankaj Singh was not immediately available for comment.

• Director General Office

Delhi-NCR Braces for Smog Season as GRAP-I Kicks In Amid Rising Pollution Levels

Experts, however, warn that the steps may not be sufficient if firecracker burning and stubble burning do not come under control. “Every year, GRAP starts reactively rather than proactively,” said Centre for Science and Environment (CSE)’s Sunita Narain. With the festive season in sight, the air quality in Delhi-NCR has again begun to worsen, leading authorities to enforce Stage I of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP). The decision was taken after the Air Quality Index (AQI) of many areas in the capital dipped into the ‘poor’ category, signaling the premature beginning of pollution season. What Initiates GRAP-I Implementation The overall AQI in Delhi exceeded the 200-mark, with areas such as Anand Vihar, Jahangirpuri, and Ghaziabad reporting higher pollution levels, according to the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM). In light of this, the commission asked all NCR states to implement GRAP-I measures with immediate effect to avoid further degradation. Experts attributed deteriorating air quality to stubble burning in other states, enhanced vehicle emissions, and construction activities. With Diwali and winter around the corner, the situation is likely to deteriorate unless preventive measures are adopted stringently. What GRAP-I Means for Citizens In Stage I (Poor AQI range: 201–300) of GRAP, many restrictions have been enacted: • Ban on open burning of waste and biomass •\tClose monitoring of construction and demolition work \t•\tPeriodic water sprinkling and mechanized sweeping of roads \t•\tEncouragement of public transport over private transport \t•\tShutting down of diesel generator sets (with the exception of emergency services) The CAQM has also asked municipal corporations to ramp up street sweeping work, inspect dust emissions, and conduct timely waste collection in order to reduce pollution. Government and Expert Responses Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai informed that the government has begun launching anti-dust campaigns and is in close coordination with NCR states. “The emphasis is on stopping the situation from falling in the ‘very poor’ category,” he added. Experts, however, warn that the steps may not be sufficient if firecracker burning and stubble burning do not come under control. “Every year, GRAP starts reactively rather than proactively,” said Centre for Science and Environment (CSE)’s Sunita Narain.

• Clean Air & Sustainable Mobility

தீபாவளி நெருங்கும் நிலையில்.. டெல்லியில் செயற்கை மழைக்கு வாய்ப்பு - அப்படிப்போடு!

வானிலை நிலைகள் சாதகமாக இருந்தால், அடுத்த இரண்டு முதல் மூன்று நாட்களுக்குள் டெல்லி அரசு மேக விதைப்பு (Cloud Seeding) அல்லது செயற்கை மழையைச் செயல்படுத்தும் என்று டெல்லி சுற்றுச்சூழல் துறை அமைச்சர் மஞ்சிந்தர் சிங் சிர்சா தெரிவித்துள்ளார். தீபாவளி பண்டிகைக்கு ஒரு வாரம் முன்னதாகவே GRAP நடைமுறைக்கு வருவது, குளிர்காலத்தில் டெல்லியில் கடுமையான காற்று மாசு நிலவப்போவதற்கான முதல் அறிகுறியாகும். இதற்கிடையில், இன்று உச்ச நீதிமன்றம், மாசுவைக் கட்டுப்படுத்துவதற்கும், மக்கள் தீபாவளியைக் கொண்டாடுவதை உறுதி செய்வதற்கும் இடையே சமநிலையைப் பேணும் வகையில், தீபாவளியின்போது பசுமைப் பட்டாசுகளை (Green Crackers) விற்பனை செய்யவும் பயன்படுத்தவும் அனுமதி வழங்கியது. மேக விதைப்பு, GRAP மற்றும் பசுமைப் பட்டாசுகள் ஆகியவை தனித்தனியாகத் தோன்றினாலும், தேசியத் தலைநகரில் மாசைக் கட்டுப்படுத்துவது என்பதே இதன் ஒற்றை இலக்கு. டெல்லியில் மேக விதைப்பு (Cloud Seeding): மேக விதைப்புக்கான சோதனைப் பயிற்சி நிறைவடைந்துவிட்டதாக அமைச்சர் சிர்சா தெரிவித்துள்ளார். இதுகுறித்து அவர், "வரும் இரண்டு அல்லது மூன்று நாட்களில் வானிலை நிலைகள் பொருத்தமாக இருந்தால், இந்திய வானிலை ஆய்வுத் துறையின் (IMD) ஒப்புதலுடன், அரசு மூன்று மணி நேரம் இந்தச் செயல்முறையை மேற்கொள்ளும் என்று கூறினார். டெல்லி அரசு குறைந்தது மூன்று மாதங்களாகச் செயற்கை மழையைச் செயல்படுத்தத் திட்டமிட்டுள்ளது. முதலில் ஜூலை 4 முதல் 11 வரை மேக விதைப்பு நடத்தத் திட்டமிடப்பட்டது. ஆனால், மாசு அளவு குறைவாக இருக்கும் பருவமழைக் காலத்தில் மழையை வரவழைக்கும் யோசனை விமர்சனத்தை ஏற்படுத்தியது. இருப்பினும், நிபுணர்களின் கூற்றுப்படி, மேக விதைப்புக்கு பருவமழை மேகங்கள் தேவைப்படுகின்றன. இந்திய வானிலை ஆய்வுத் துறை (IMD) மற்றும் புனேவில் உள்ள இந்திய வெப்பமண்டல வானிலை ஆய்வு நிறுவனம் (IITM) ஆகியவற்றின் நிபுணர் பரிந்துரைகளைப் பின்பற்றி, இந்தத் திட்டம் மாற்றப்பட்டு, ஆகஸ்ட் 30 முதல் செப்டம்பர் 10 வரையிலான காலம் தேர்ந்தெடுக்கப்பட்டது. மேக விதைப்பு என்றால் என்ன? மேக விதைப்பு என்பது, தண்ணீர் பற்றாக்குறை, பனிப்பொழிவு குறைவு உள்ள பகுதிகளில் மழை அல்லது பனியை வரவழைக்க, அல்லது ஆலங்கட்டியை (Hail) குறைக்கவும், மூடுபனியைக் (Fog) குறைக்கவும், சில்வர் அயோடைடு (silver iodide) மற்றும் உலர் பனி (dry ice) போன்ற சிறப்புப் பொருட்களை மேகங்களில் சேர்க்கும் ஒரு செயல்முறையாகும். இது விமானங்கள், ராக்கெட்டுகள் அல்லது தரையில் உள்ள இயந்திரங்களைப் பயன்படுத்திச் செய்யப்படலாம். ஐஐடி கான்பூர் உருவாக்கியுள்ள இந்தச் செயற்கை மழை கலவையில், சில்வர் அயோடைடு நானோ துகள்கள், அயோடைஸ்டு உப்பு மற்றும் பாறை உப்பு ஆகியவை அடங்கும். டெல்லியின் மோசமான காற்று மாசுபாடு: அறிவியல் மற்றும் சுற்றுச்சூழல் மையத்தின் (Centre for Science and Environment) பகுப்பாய்வின்படி, 2024-25 குளிர்காலத்தில் டெல்லியில் சராசரியாக PM2.5 செறிவு ஒரு கன மீட்டருக்கு 175 மைக்ரோகிராம்களாக இருந்தது. இதன் மூலம், டெல்லி இந்தியாவின் மிகவும் மாசடைந்த மெகாசிட்டியாக நீடித்தது. சிகாகோ எரிசக்தி கொள்கை நிறுவனத்தின் (EPIC) அறிக்கையின்படி, உலக சுகாதார அமைப்பின் (WHO) வழிகாட்டுதல்களுடன் ஒப்பிடும்போது, நகரத்தில் உள்ள காற்று மாசுபாடு குடிமக்களின் ஆயுட்காலத்தை சராசரியாக 11.9 ஆண்டுகள் குறைப்பதாகக் கண்டறியப்பட்டுள்ளது. உள்ளூர் முதல் உலகம் வரை பரபரப்பான ஹாட் செய்திகளை உடனுக்குடன் அறிய மாலைமுரசு யூடியூப் சேனலை காண இங்கே கிளிக் செய்யவும்.

• Clean Air & Sustainable Mobility

Delhi Is Currently One of the Most Polluted Cities in the World: The Hidden Cost of Development

Delhi: Most Populated Cities: The sun frequently finds it difficult to break through the dense layer of gray haze that covers Delhi as it rises. Delhi, which was formerly regarded as the center of Indian culture and tradition, is today notorious for being one of the most polluted cities in the world. Delhi was at the top of the pollution lists in October 2025, according to international air quality monitoring organizations like IQAir and the World Air Quality Index (WAQI), with PM2.5 levels above 480 µg/m³, which is about 20 times higher than the WHO’s acceptable limit. More than 30 million people, from infants to the elderly, are impacted by the city’s pollution catastrophe, which is becoming a year-round public health emergency rather than a seasonal headline. Vehicle Emissions: The Daily Offense Every day, a large number of automobiles, motorcycles, buses, and trucks fill Delhi’s roadways, releasing harmful pollutants. Even with the implementation of Bharat Stage VI (BS-VI) pollution standards, advancements are still being hampered by fuel adulteration, traffic jams, and outdated automobiles. Nearly 40% of Delhi’s winter pollution is caused by vehicle emissions, according to the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE). Although the use of electric vehicles (EVs) has increased, the infrastructure is still insufficient to have a significant impact.

• Down To Earth

HARNESSING TECHNOLOGY FOR EFFECTIVE DISASTER MANAGEMENT IN INDIA

India is increasingly vulnerable to extreme weather events driven by climate change, including floods, landslides, cloudbursts, and heatwaves. These disasters result in loss of life, destruction of infrastructure, disruption of livelihoods, and long-term ecological damage. According to the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), India witnessed extreme weather events on over 300 days per year between 2022 and 2024. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) projects further intensification of monsoons, heatwaves, and floods in the coming years. Therefore, there is an urgent need to harness modern technologies for disaster management and climate resilience.

• Sustainable Food Systems

भारत का खाद्य और औषधि नियंत्रण — जब व्यवस्था ही जहर बन जाए तो क्या?

आज भारत का जन स्वास्थ्य आपातकाल की चपेट में है। देश में 10 करोड़ से अधिक मधुमेह रोगी हैं, हृदय रोग और कैंसर की दरें लगातार बढ़ रही हैं, और बचपन का मोटापा नए खतरे के स्तर पर पहुंच चुका है। यह संकट किसी संयोग का परिणाम नहीं, बल्कि उस व्यवस्थागत गिरावट का परिणाम है जो हमारे खाद्य और औषधि सुरक्षा ढांचे में गहराई तक प्रवेश कर चुकी है। भ्रष्टाचार और लापरवाही का जाल भारतीय खाद्य सुरक्षा एवं मानक प्राधिकरण (एफएसएसएआई), जिसे देश की खाद्य सुरक्षा की गारंटी देनी चाहिए, उसका हाल स्वयं एक चेतावनी है। मई 2024 में सीबीआई ने मुंबई स्थित एफएसएसएआई के सहायक निदेशक को रिश्वत लेते गिरफ्तार किया छापेमारी में करोड़ों की अवैध संपत्ति मिली। यही नहीं, भारत के नियंत्रक एवं महालेखा परीक्षक (सीएजी) की 2023 की रिपोर्ट में सामने आया कि देशभर में लिए गए करीब एक-तिहाई खाद्य नमूने सुरक्षा मानकों पर खरे नहीं उतरे, लेकिन केवल कुछ ही पर कार्रवाई हुई। आरटीआई खुलासों ने भी एक चिंताजनक तस्वीर पेश की है। 2018 से 2022 के बीच 35 लाख से अधिक खाद्य लाइसेंस जारी हुए, पर केवल गिने-चुने रद्द किए गए। इसका सीधा अर्थ है कि जो भी बाजार में है, वह लगभग बिना डर के है। कॉर्पोरेट जगत की भूमिका भी उतनी ही सवालों के घेरे में है। जैसे की नेस्ले का सेरेलैक भारत में अतिरिक्त चीनी के साथ बेचा जाता है, जबकि यूरोप में यही उत्पाद बिना किसी अतिरिक्त चीनी के मिलता है। एमडीएच और एवरेस्ट मसालों में कैंसरकारी तत्व पाए जाने पर सिंगापुर और हांगकांग ने कई बैचों पर प्रतिबंध लगाया। सेंटर फॉर साइंस एंड एनवायरनमेंट (सीएसई) ने भी शहद, दूध और पनीर में मिलावट के साक्ष्य उजागर किए हैं। यह केवल व्यापारिक प्रतिस्पर्धा नहीं, नागरिकों के स्वास्थ्य से सीधा खिलवाड़ है। अब कफ सिरप कांड हाल ही में देश के सामने आया है। कफ सिरप हादसे ने इस तंत्र की नाकामी को एक बार फिर से उजागर कर दिया। इस सिरप के कारण मध्यप्रदेश और राजस्थान में दर्जनों बच्चों की मौत हो गयी जिसमें डाइइथाइलीन ग्लाइकोल जैसे जहरीले तत्व पाए गए। भारत निर्मित सर्पों ने पहले भी कई देशों में जान ले चुके उधर, विश्व स्वास्थ्य संगठन (WHO) ने इस विषय पर चिंता जताते कहा कि जब औषधि और खाद्य सुरक्षा, दोनों ही निगरानी प्रणालियां जवाबदेह नहीं रहीं, तो नतीजा सिर्फ़ मौतें ही हैं। व्यवस्था के नाम पर देरी भारत में इस से संबंधित मंत्रालय और विभाग है l वो इतने गेर जिम्मेदार है कि भारत में ट्रांस फैट को खत्म करने के लिए WHO ने समय सीमा सन 2023 तय की थी, लेकिन हमारे देश में यह नियम 2024 में जाकर पूरी तरह लागू हुआ। इसी तरह पैक के आगे चेतावनी लेबल (एफओपीएल) नीति, जो उपभोक्ताओं को अस्वास्थ्यकर उत्पादों की पहचान करने में मदद करती, वह भी पांच वर्षों से लंबित है। जवाबदेही की मांग यह अब महज़ नीतिगत बहस नहीं रही। यह सवाल जीवन और मृत्यु का है। नागरिकों को यह अधिकार है कि उन्हें बताया जाए कि वे क्या खा रहे हैं, क्या पी रहे हैं। अब जरूरी है एफएसएसएआई में उच्च-स्तरीय स्वतंत्र जांच भ्रष्टाचार और नियामक शिथिलता पर पारदर्शी रिपोर्ट जारी हो। कफ सिरप जैसे मामलों में त्वरित ट्रेसिंग और रिकॉल सिस्टम हो ताकि जहरीली दवाएं बाजार में न रहें और न आ सके। एफओपीएल नीति का तत्काल क्रियान्वयन उपभोक्ता को सच जानने का अधिकार मिले। कॉर्पोरेट जवाबदेही हो और दोहरे मानक अपनाने वाली कंपनियों पर सख्त दंड हो। भारत को अब तय करना होगा क्या हम एक ऐसे देश में जीना चाहते हैं जहां हर निवाला और हर दवा संभावित जहर हो। जन स्वास्थ्य की रक्षा का वादा करने वाले संस्थानों को अब केवल कानून नहीं, विश्वास भी वापस कमाना होगा। क्योंकि जब व्यवस्था ही ज़हर बन जाए, तो मौन रहना भी अपराध होता है। अब सिर्फ भारत के नागरिकों को ही नहीं बल्कि जनस्वास्थ्य और जन खाद्य के लिए देश को तो जागरूक होना ही होगा इस से पहले स्वास्थ्य विभाग खाद्य विभाग के मंत्रालयों को भी उनके अंदर फैले भ्रष्टाचार को समाप्त करना होगा तभी जाकर आपातकाल स्थिति से बचा जा सकता है l

• Sustainable Food Systems

GM Food Regulations: HC Directs FSSAI to Act

Submitting a study by the Centre for Science and Environment, the petitioner flagged the "presence of GM ingredients" in India. The Rajasthan High Court has restrained food regulator FSSAI and the Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC) from granting permission for sale, manufacturing, distribution or import of any genetically modified (GM) food stuff or edible items in India before framing necessary regulations. Terming the requirement of regulations a pressing need with regard to the direct and vital bearing of the issue on public health, the high court's Jaipur bench, in its order on Monday, directed the FSSAI and the Centre to frame and notify the regulations under Section 22 of the Food Safety and Standards Act 2006 regarding GM food articles within six months, while following the procedure provided in the Act. A bench of Acting Chief Justice Sanjeev Prakash Sharma and Justice Sanjeet Purohit gave these directions while allowing a PIL which raised concern regarding the alleged sale, manufacturing, distribution or import of GM articles in India in violation of Section 22 of the Act. In a joint counter affidavit filed by the Centre, the Department of Consumer Affairs and GEAC, it was admitted that no regulations, standards or guidelines regulating GM food have been framed by the FSSAI under Section 22 of the Act. In its observation, the court noted that it was astonishing that while the issue of GM organisms in edible products is a matter of significant concern, yet the relevant regulations have not been finalised and notified by the Centre. "Although the FSSAI has been established, yet the GEAC has been allowed to approve the import of GM edible oil in India due to the absence of regulations under Section 22 of the Act," the court said. Clearance of the Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC), a statutory committee, is mandatory for the environmental release of Genetically Modified crops. The petitioners prayed for immediate prohibition on GM food/processed food, "ceasing of the stock already available in the Indian market, prohibiting further sale and withdrawal of all the permissions granted by GEAC to import, sale, distribute and manufacture GM food". During the arguments, the petitioners flagged the absence of a proper regulatory mechanism regarding GM or GE food in India and admission by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare confirming the absence of any standards for GM food. Submitting a study by the Centre for Science and Environment, the petitioner flagged the "presence of GM ingredients" in India. The court directed the Centre and the FSSAI to ensure that no import of any GM food stuff or edible or packaged food items takes place and directed the customs authorities across the state to ensure strict compliance with the directions.