Latest news with #DelhiPollutionControlCommittee
Indian Express
14-06-2025
- Science
- Indian Express
‘Crucial step for holistic data on pollution': Delhi set to add 6 new air quality monitoring stations
Delhi is set to expand its air quality monitoring infrastructure with the installation of six new Continuous Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Stations (CAAQMS), targeting areas not typically associated with high pollution. The expansion, led by the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC), is part of the ongoing efforts to develop a more granular understanding of pollution patterns across different urban environments, Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa told The Indian Express. He added that the government is aiming to have these stations operational by August, before winter sets in, when the city is hit by severe air pollution. 'It is a crucial step for holistic data on pollution in all areas,' he said. He emphasised the need to shift focus from only known pollution corridors to areas that are often assumed to be clean. 'It is a myth that so-called green areas are not polluted. Vehicular pollution is a cause of concern throughout the city. So, it is necessary that we get pollution data for such areas too, not just the usual hotspots,' he said. The new stations will be installed at the campuses of Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) and Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) in South Delhi, the ISRO Earth Station near Malcha Mahal in Delhi's Ridge and Delhi Cantonment in New Delhi, the Commonwealth Sports Complex in Central Delhi, and the West Campus of Netaji Subhash University of Technology in Southwest Delhi. At present, Delhi has 40 CAAQMS and 7 manual stations. Of these, 26 have been set up by the DPCC, while others by the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM), and the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). The new stations would improve geographic coverage and bring under observation several areas that are not traditionally seen as pollution hotspots, said Sirsa. The decision to move forward with these installations was taken in continuation of work initiated by the previous state government. Sirsa said the locations had already been identified earlier, and the current government is facilitating implementation by issuing formal work orders and commissioning the project. The choice of sites follows national-level guidelines issued by the CPCB, which recommend how air monitoring stations should be located, as per officials. According to these standards, the monitoring equipment should be placed in open areas with free airflow and away from trees, buildings, and direct pollution sources like chimneys or heavy traffic corridors. The sampler should typically be placed at 3 metres above ground level, and at least 25 metres away from direct sources like chimneys or roads. Equipment must also be positioned away by at least 20 metres away from tree cover or obstructive structures, to avoid skewing data. The Indian Express had reported last October regarding the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) plans to increase the number of air quality stations in Delhi-NCR, based on CPCB's population-based design criteria. Under the framework, cities with 1–5 lakh of population require 4 stations, up to 10 lakh, 6 stations; up to 50 lakh, 8 stations, and beyond 50 lakh, at least 16 stations. According to official documents, each station will be equipped with advanced instruments capable of monitoring key air pollutants such as particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5), sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, ozone, ammonia, and volatile organic compounds like benzene and toluene. In addition, sensors will record weather data such as wind speed, temperature, and humidity. The data will be transmitted in real time to the central servers of Delhi's pollution control authority and the Central Pollution Control Board. A digital display board at each site will show the current air quality index and pollutant levels to the public. The stations are designed to operate round-the-clock, with requirements in place to ensure that they are functional for at least 90% of the year. The third-party agency responsible for installation will also maintain the stations for the next ten years, ensuring regular calibration, data quality checks, and public accessibility. Monitoring staff and security personnel will be stationed at each location to oversee day-to-day operations and ensure uninterrupted data flow.
Hindustan Times
13-06-2025
- Science
- Hindustan Times
Delhi to get six new air quality monitoring stations by August
The Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) has floated tenders for the supply, installation, and commissioning of six new continuous ambient air quality monitoring stations (CAAQMS), which will also be operated and maintained by the winning bidders for the next 10 years. Delhi environment minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa said a deadline of August has been set for installing the new stations, which are expected to be fully functional ahead of the winter pollution season. 'We are on track to complete installation by August. The stations will be operationalised soon after,' Sirsa told HT. He added that all six sites have been identified and will be handed over to the selected vendors in time for construction and equipment setup. Once installed, they will take the total number of air monitoring stations in the Capital from 40 to 46. While Sirsa had earlier stated on April 15 that the stations would be ready by June 30, the deadline now appears to have shifted to August. HT had reported on April 26 that the proposed sites for the new stations are in relatively green areas, which may skew Delhi's average Air Quality Index (AQI) downward. Of the six, three are planned within lush institutional campuses — Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) and Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) in south Delhi, and Netaji Subhash University (West Campus). Another is to be set deep inside the Central Ridge forest at the ISRO Earth Station near Malcha Mahal, while the remaining two are slated for Delhi Cantonment and the Commonwealth Games Sports Complex in east Delhi. An environment department official said the sites will be handed over free of encumbrances, though it will be the bidder's responsibility to ensure connectivity and basic utilities such as power, telephone, and internet. 'DPCC will assist with documentation, but the onus of making the sites functional lies with the operator,' the official added. Of the city's existing 40 stations, 24 are currently managed by DPCC, while the rest are handled by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the India Meteorological Department (IMD), and the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM). All six new stations will fall under DPCC's domain but be maintained by third-party operators.
Time of India
12-06-2025
- Science
- Time of India
Tender invited for 6 air quality monitoring stns
New Delhi: Delhi Pollution Control Committee has invited e-tender for supply, installation and commissioning of six new continuous ambient air quality monitoring stations (CAAQMS). These stations are likely to become operational in Aug, taking the total number of such stations in the city to 46. Delhi environment minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa said, "These stations will be installed in Aug and data will be generated immediately after installation." He added that DPCC will identify and hand over the site on time for commissioning of CAAQMS. The six stations will be installed on the campuses of JNU, IGNOU, ISRO, Commonwealth Sports Complex, Delhi Cantonment and Netaji Subash University of Technology. TNN Follow more information on Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad here . Get real-time live updates on rescue operations and check full list of passengers onboard AI 171 .
News18
04-06-2025
- Health
- News18
Delhi's Anti-Pollution Plan: 'Only BS6, CNG Or EV Commercial Vehicles Can Enter From Nov 1'
Last Updated: Delhi Air Pollution News: The plan, titled 'Shuddh Hawa Sabka Adhikar – Pradushan Par Zordar Prahar', includes a raft of measures to tackle various pollution sources Delhi Air Pollution: Chief minister Rekha Gupta unveiled the Air Pollution Mitigation Plan 2025 on Tuesday to address Delhi's persistent air pollution crisis. The plan, titled 'Shuddh Hawa Sabka Adhikar – Pradushan Par Zordar Prahar" (Clean Air is Everyone's Right – A Strong Attack on Pollution), aims to significantly improve the capital's air quality through sweeping measures. A key aspect of the plan is the regulation of vehicular entry, with only BS-VI (Bharat Stage 6) compliant, Compressed Natural Gas (CNG), or electric commercial vehicles being allowed to enter the national capital from November 1, 2025. This new policy marks a substantial shift in Delhi's transportation strategy, targeting a major source of pollution. To enforce this, Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras will be installed at all entry points to the city and at petrol stations. These cameras will identify and deter end-of-life vehicles, which contribute significantly to emissions, by sending SMS alerts to owners and displaying warnings on billboards. The plan also includes a raft of measures to tackle various pollution sources: Dust Control: The government will deploy 200 mechanical road sweepers, 70 electric litter pickers, 38 water tankers, and 20 dump vehicles. Over 1,000 water sprinklers and 140 anti-smog guns will be in operation year-round, including nighttime operations to minimise traffic disruption. Anti-smog guns will be mandatory in all high-rise commercial buildings over 3,000 square metres, such as malls and hotels. Mist sprayers will be installed at 13 identified pollution hotspots. Construction Site Compliance: Construction projects over 500 square metres must register on the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) portal and display their registration details on-site. An AI-based system will automatically issue notices and penalties for dust violations. Public Transport Modernisation: The plan includes deploying 2,299 e-autos at metro stations and adding 2,080 electric buses to the public transport fleet by year-end. The expansion of EV charging infrastructure across commercial hubs and public spaces is also underway. Waste Management: The goal is to achieve net-zero waste to landfills by 2028, focusing on clearing the Okhla, Bhalaswa, and Ghazipur landfill sites. Strict enforcement of waste segregation at source will be implemented. CM Gupta emphasised that the 'Shuddh Hawa Sabka Adhikar – Pradushan Par Zordar Prahar" plan is a historic step toward a 'Clean Delhi, Green Delhi, Healthy Delhi", demonstrating the government's commitment to providing clean air for its citizens. (With agency inputs)
Hans India
04-06-2025
- Health
- Hans India
Pollution control strategy launched
New Delhi: Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Tuesday launched the Air Pollution Mitigation Plan 2025, outlining a comprehensive strategy to combat air pollution in the national capital. Emphasizing her vision for a 'clean and healthy Delhi,' the CM unveiled a series of measures aimed at reducing emissions and improving air quality across the city. Speaking at the launch event, CM Gupta announced that mist sprayers will be installed in 13 high-pollution zones of Delhi as part of the immediate response measures. She also declared that from November 1, only BS-IV, CNG, and electric vehicles will be allowed to enter the capital, as part of efforts to control vehicular emissions. Construction sites larger than 500 square metres will now be required to register with the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) under the new pollution action plan, to ensure stricter monitoring and adherence to environmental norms. In a major step toward sustainable mobility, the government plans to deploy 2,300 electric autos (e-autos) at metro stations across Delhi, enhancing last-mile connectivity while reducing address concerns around corruption and non-compliance in vehicle emission checks, Pollution Under Control Certificate (PUCC) centers will undergo biannual audits. The Chief Minister also announced the launch of a mass tree plantation drive titled 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' (One Tree in Mother's Name), which will commence on June 5, coinciding with World Environment Day. As part of this initiative, 70 lakh saplings are expected to be planted across the city this year. Highlighting the role of science and innovation, CM Gupta revealed that the Delhi government will collaborate with top scientific institutions to implement advanced anti-pollution strategies. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with IIT Kanpur has been signed to conduct a pilot project based on cloud seeding and artificial rain, aiming to reduce particulate matter in the air. 'Very soon, artificial rain through cloud seeding will be a reality in Delhi,' CM Gupta stated, underlining the government's intent to employ cutting-edge technology in environmental management.
