Delhi Air Pollution: AAP seeks Centre's nod for artificial rain, says PM's moral responsibility to intervene

Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna said all judges have been asked to allow virtual hearings wherever possible. As soon as the bench comprising the CJI and Justice Sanjay Kumar assembled, lawyers, including Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) president Kapil Sibal, referred to the worsening pollution in Delhi and NCR and sought immediate measures to deal with it.

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Vehicles are the largest emitters of PM2.5 in Delhi, accounting for 47% or 9.6 kt/year (kilotonnes per year) of the total 20.32 kt/year.

Power plants in NCR make for 46% of the sulphur dioxide

Vehicles emit 97% of the carbon monoxide and 66% of nitrous oxide.

At 31%, two-wheelers are the largest contributors to PM2.5 emissions.

Buses emit most of the carbon monoxide (51%) and nitrous oxide (34%) in Delhi’s air.

Road dust contributes 20%, 4.09 kt/year of PM2.5 in Delhi’s air.

Fuelwood contributes around 0.8 kt/year to PM2.5 levels, LPG contributes 0.2 kt/year.

Industries contribute 41% to PM10, 44% to PM2.5 particulate matter, which include dust, pollen, soot, smoke, and liquid droplets.

Construction sites, wildfires, wood burning, gravel pits, agricultural activities, and dusty roads are primary contributors particulate matter.

Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai writes to Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav, requesting him “to immediately convene an emergency meeting with Delhi Govt, IIT Kanpur and all other central Government Departments/agencies like DGCA, MHA, Ministry of Defence etc.… pic.twitter.com/8A6w1Leeuz

— ANI (@ANI) November 19, 2024

AQI stands for Air Quality Index, a numerical scale used to measure and communicate the quality of air in a specific area. It assesses the concentration of various pollutants in the air, such as particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10), ground-level ozone (O3), carbon monoxide (CO), sulfur dioxide (SO2), and nitrogen dioxide (NO2).

Vehicles are the largest emitters of PM2.5 in Delhi, accounting for 47% or 9.6 kt/year (kilotonnes per year) of the total 20.32 kt/year.
Power plants in NCR make for 46% of the sulphur dioxide
Vehicles emit 97% of the carbon monoxide and 66% of nitrous oxide.
At 31%, two-wheelers are the largest contributors to PM2.5 emissions.
Buses emit most of the carbon monoxide (51%) and nitrous oxide (34%) in Delhi’s air.
Road dust contributes 20%, 4.09 kt/year of PM2.5 in Delhi’s air.
Fuelwood contributes around 0.8 kt/year to PM2.5 levels, LPG contributes 0.2 kt/year.
Industries contribute 41% to PM10, 44% to PM2.5 particulate matter, which include dust, pollen, soot, smoke, and liquid droplets.
Construction sites, wildfires, wood burning, gravel pits, agricultural activities, and dusty roads are primary contributors particulate matter.

High AQI levels, often linked to pollutants like fuel burning and traffic congestion, can trigger acute symptoms and escalate long-term heart-related issues.

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#WATCH | On air pollution, Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai says, “We are continuously working. We have banned BS-III petrol four wheelers, BS-IV diesel vehicles. All trucks, diesel buses coming from outside have been banned. Schools have been closed for 10th and 12th as… pic.twitter.com/ZZOUbiA3RC

— ANI (@ANI) November 19, 2024

The apex court asked the state government about steps being taken to curb rising pollution level in the national capital. The top court said it will not allow scaling down of preventive measures under stage 4 of GRAP even if AQI goes below 450.

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Jamia Millia Islamia, Delhi, announces that classes will be conducted online until Saturday, 23rd November. Regular classes in physical mode will resume on 25th November 2024. The schedule of Examinations and Interviews remains unchanged, the notification said.

#WATCH | Uttar Pradesh: Visibility was severely affected in Aligarh earlier today, due to air pollution as well as fog. pic.twitter.com/JRzptyLcri

— ANI (@ANI) November 19, 2024

AQI stands for Air Quality Index, a numerical scale used to measure and communicate the quality of air in a specific area. It assesses the concentration of various pollutants in the air, such as particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10), ground-level ozone (O3), carbon monoxide (CO), sulfur dioxide (SO2), and nitrogen dioxide (NO2).

Read here to know more

The air quality in Delhi continues to plummet to alarmingly high levels, even crossing 500-mark on Tuesday morning in many parts of the city. The weather has significantly affected several train services with a dense layer of smog enveloping the national capital. As many as 22 trains are running late, while eight have been rescheduled due to the weather conditions.

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Congress MP Shashi Tharoor expressed outrage over Delhi’s worsening air pollution, calling the capital “officially the most polluted city in the world.” In an X post, Tharoor highlighted that Delhi’s pollution levels are four times higher than hazardous limits, nearly five times worse than Dhaka, the second most polluted city.

This city is essentially uninhabitable from November to January inclusive and barely livable the rest of the year. Should it even remain the nation’s capital?, he wrote on X.

• Vehicles are the largest emitters of PM2.5 in Delhi, accounting for 47% or 9.6 kt/year (kilotonnes per year) of the total 20.32 kt/year.
• Power plants in NCR make for 46% of the sulphur dioxide
• Vehicles emit 97% of the carbon monoxide and 66% of nitrous oxide.
• At 31%, two-wheelers are the largest contributors to PM2.5 emissions.
• Buses emit most of the carbon monoxide (51%) and nitrous oxide (34%) in Delhi’s air.
• Road dust contributes 20%, 4.09 kt/year of PM2.5 in Delhi’s air.
• Fuelwood contributes around 0.8 kt/year to PM2.5 levels, LPG contributes 0.2 kt/year.
• Industries contribute 41% to PM10, 44% to PM2.5 particulate matter, which include dust, pollen, soot, smoke, and liquid droplets.
• Construction sites, wildfires, wood burning, gravel pits, agricultural activities, and dusty roads are primary contributors particulate matter.

#WATCH | Uttar Pradesh: A layer of smog shrouds NCR region as the air quality continues to deteriorate. Visuals from Ghaziabad. pic.twitter.com/uS4TpmFxGJ

— ANI (@ANI) November 19, 2024

Just arrived back in Delhi to find the city embalmed in an all-enveloping burial shroud of pollution. Even at 2pm impossible to see 100m across the runway.
I’ve never seen anything like this in forty years of living here. What a fate for the City of Djinns- still, at its best the… pic.twitter.com/F0l8SRJWTw

— William Dalrymple (@DalrympleWill) November 18, 2024

#WATCH | Uttar Pradesh: A layer of smog shrouds Lucknow as the air quality continues to deteriorate.

Visuals from near Uttar Pradesh Secretariat. pic.twitter.com/VkAmwWe4H6

— ANI (@ANI) November 19, 2024

AQI stands for Air Quality Index, a numerical scale used to measure and communicate the quality of air in a specific area. It assesses the concentration of various pollutants in the air, such as particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10), ground-level ozone (O3), carbon monoxide (CO), sulfur dioxide (SO2), and nitrogen dioxide (NO2).

Read here to know more

As air quality worsens in Delhi, simple surgical masks cannot keep your lungs safe. Here’s why respirators are the best defense against air pollution.

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Delhi’s hazardous air quality brought train operations to a standstill on Tuesday, causing delays for 22 trains and the rescheduling of eight others. The disruptions left passengers stranded, adding to the mounting concerns of residents and authorities over the prolonged exposure to the city’s worsening air pollution.

Punjab reported its highest single-day count of stubble-burning incidents this season, with 1,251 farm fires recorded on Monday, according to data from the Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB). This brings the state’s total cases this year to 9,655, highlighting the persistent challenge of crop residue burning.

Monday’s figures mark a significant increase compared to the same day in previous years, which saw 701 cases in 2022 and 637 in 2023. Stubble burning remains a major contributor to the severe air pollution plaguing northern India, exacerbating environmental and health concerns.

On Monday, 15 air quality monitoring stations across Delhi, including Ashok Vihar, Bawana, and Dr Karni Singh Shooting Range, hit the maximum Air Quality Index (AQI) level of 500. Data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) revealed that 33 out of 36 stations recorded AQI readings above 490, with Mandir Marg touching a near-maximum 499. The remaining stations also reported critically high pollution levels, underscoring the severity of the smog crisis in the capital.

Both Delhi University (DU) and Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) announced temporary shifts to online classes to prioritise health and safety.

Delhi University stated that in-person classes would resume on November 25, while JNU confirmed that virtual classes will continue until November 22. Despite these adjustments, both universities clarified that their schedules for exams and interviews remain unaffected.

Delhi Chief Minister Atishi has announced the suspension of physical classes for all students in the capital, including those in Classes X and XII. The decision comes as the city grapples with hazardous pollution levels, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) reaching alarming highs.

The announcement follows a previous directive issued on Sunday that initially allowed in-person classes for students in Classes X and XII while suspending them for others. However, with no improvement in air quality, the government has now shifted all classes to online mode.

“From tomorrow, physical classes shall be suspended for classes X and XII as well, and all studies will be shifted to online mode,” Atishi shared in a post on X, formerly Twitter.

Good Morning readers! Delhi’s air pollution surged to over 17 times the acceptable limit, with worsening smog prompting authorities to impose trucking bans, halt construction activities, and close schools. Residents in Delhi-NCR are urged to monitor AQI levels and follow health advisories. Stay updated with CNBC-TV18’s live blog for real-time developments.