India News

Pollution punch: Diesel generators banned in Delhi, four-fold hike likely in parking charges

Published

9 years ago

October 18, 2017

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Environment Pollution Prevention and Control Authority advises Delhiites to wear masks, wherever possible

Diesel generators have been banned, the Badarpur power plant has been shut and hundreds of brick kilns ordered to stop work under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) of the Supreme Court-appointed Environment Pollution Prevention and Control Authority (EPCA).

The measures stipulated for the GRAP’s ‘very poor’ and ‘severe’ categories of air quality came into effect today, and they will remain in force till March 15, 2018, the EPCA announced following a review meeting chaired by Bhure Lal, a former IAS officer.

In November 2016, the Supreme Court of India directed the government to frame and implement a Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) to control air pollution. The Union environment ministry notified the Plan on January 17, 2017.

Designed like a disaster alert system, GRAP directs governments to take tougher and tougher actions based on the level of air pollution. Key measures listed under the Moderate and Poor categories, have been in force through the year, with state governments monitoring progress. Now, from October 17, 2017 to March 15, 2018 the Very Poor and Severe categories have come into force.

The measures come on top of steps taken recently to curb pollution, most notably and recently, the ban on the sale of firecrackers. Before this, the government had prohibited stubble burning or burning of crop residues by farmers of Punjab and Haryana to the west of Delhi.

The EPCA has said if the air quality worsens, Delhiites may have to shell out more as parking fee, possibly four times the current amount and that if pollution reaches ‘emergency’ levels, it may enforce the ‘odd-even’ plan, order cars off roads, and shut schools.

EPCA secretary Sunita Narain said while the GRAP proposes a hike in parking fee under its ‘very poor’ segment, it cannot be immediately implemented as the Delhi government’s parking policy has not yet been finalised. However, the EPCA will enforce the measure if pollution levels show any rapid spike, even if a formal policy is not in place, she said.

“As per the action plan, several measures will be taken till March 15 to avoid the ‘severe+’ category that the region had suffered over the last year when a public health emergency was declared, warranting measures such as the ‘odd-even’ car rationing policy or closure of schools,” said Sunita Narain, the Director-General of Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), and member secretary, EPCA.

EPCA expects 32 air monitoring systems to be in place in the region over the next few weeks. “The AQI from these monitoring stations will look at PM 2.5 levels,” said A Sudhakar from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). “With this, combined with information from other agencies, we will be able to formulate a daily action plan to target problem areas,” he said.

Weather conditions are expected to worsen the morning after Diwali, he warned. “On October 20 morning, we expect moisture-laden south-easterly winds to blow into Delhi-NCR and increase pollution levels,” he said.

EPCA chairman Bhure Lal said the diesel generator ban will not apply to essential services such as the Delhi Metro, mobile phone towers, and hospitals in the city.

Brick kilns, which have implemented the zigzag technology that helps reduce black carbon emission, have also been allowed to function, said Bhure Lal.

The Badarpur plant used to supply around 400 MW electricity to discoms but, according to power officials, its closure will not affect Delhi’s electricity supply as the city has surplus power. CPCB wanted the plant shut down by September, but it was postponed since the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, which hosted matches of the U-17 FIFA World Cup, drew electricity from the plant.

The Bawana gas-based plant has been directed to be run at full capacity.

The EPCA also advised the residents of Delhi-NCR to use face masks whenever possible. It also raised concerns over the existing landfill sites in the capital.

The EPCA said the two other thermal power plants in the region, at Dadri and Jhajjar, will also have to be shut if pollution reaches emergency levels.

If air quality worsens further, the action will be more widespread, including closure of hot mix plants in Haryana and Uttar Pradesh, stone crushers in Haryana and Rajasthan, and industries using Furnace Oil and Pet Coke, which are rich in Sulphur, across the region.

Under the GRAP, measures under ‘very poor’ and ‘severe’ categories are rolled out when levels of PM2.5 are between 121-250 micrograms per cubic metre, and above 250 micrograms per cubic metre respectively. PM10 levels have to be between 351-430 micrograms per cubic metre for very poor and going down to severe if they cross 430 micrograms per cubic metre.

The severe plus or the emergency action plan under GRAP, which proposes a ban on construction activities, odd-even scheme, ban on entry of trucks and closure of schools, shall come into force when PM2.5 levels cross 300 micrograms per cubic metre or PM10 levels cross 500 micrograms per cubic metre (five times above the standard level) and persist for 48 hours or more.

The 24-hour-average safe standards of PM2.5 and PM10 are 60 and 100 respectively and anything beyond that can harm living beings.

EPCA added that further action will be taken based on the reports released each day by the task force. Other long-term measures include providing electric heaters to society guards in order to prevent burning of firewood and closure of hot mix as well as stone crushers.

In addition, trucks entering Delhi will be monitored and those not destined for the city to be sent back. EPCA also said measures to prevent burning of open waste and construction dust will be intensified with offenders to be fined. The Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) has created a Whatsapp helpline number (9717593574) for people to submit photographs and complaints regarding waste burning.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Related Topics:Delhi Harayana Uttar Pradesh

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Delhi witnesses heavy rain for second day, IMD issues red alert

Delhi is witnessing heavy rain for the second consecutive day, with the IMD issuing a red alert for thunderstorms, lightning, gusty winds and heavy rainfall.

Published

5 hours ago

August 25, 2026

APNLive Desk

Delhi is witnessing another spell of heavy rain on Tuesday, a day after intense showers caused widespread waterlogging and traffic disruption across the national capital. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert for Delhi, warning of heavy rain along with thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds.

According to an IMD update issued at 6:45 am, heavy rainfall was likely over Delhi during the following two to three hours. Moderate rain accompanied by thunderstorms, lightning and winds of 30-40 kmph was also expected at many places, while heavy rain was likely at a few locations.

The alert covers several districts, including Central Delhi, East Delhi, New Delhi, North Delhi, North East Delhi, North West Delhi, Shahdara, South Delhi, South East Delhi, South West Delhi and West Delhi.

Delhi Airport flight operations remain normal

Despite the adverse weather forecast, flight operations at Delhi Airport are currently normal, according to a passenger advisory.

The advisory said that inclement weather conditions were expected in the vicinity of the airport but confirmed that flight operations remained normal at the time of the update.

However, the situation was different on Monday when heavy rain and adverse weather affected flight operations. A total of 15 flights were diverted from Delhi Airport, including three international flights.

Of the 15 diverted flights, 12 were sent to Jaipur, two to Chandigarh and one to Lucknow.

What caused Delhi’s intense rainfall?

An IMD scientist, Dr Shashi Kant, attributed the intense rainfall to the interaction of two different air masses.

According to him, dry northerly winds were moving into Delhi from the north, while moisture-laden easterly winds associated with a low-pressure area forming near West Bengal were flowing from the Bay of Bengal.

The interaction between these air masses resulted in high-intensity rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms over Delhi.

Gurugram faces severe waterlogging

Neighbouring Gurugram also witnessed severe waterlogging on Monday following around an hour of rain.

Several key areas were affected, including Rajiv Chowk, IFFCO Chowk, Railway Road, Sector 5, Old Delhi Road, Mehrauli Road and Basai Road.

Visuals showed school buses stranded on submerged roads, while motorists were seen dragging their vehicles through waterlogged stretches.

Following the disruption, the Gurugram administration asked offices to allow employees to work from home. Schools were also asked to conduct classes through online mode.

Delhi rain alert: What is the latest update?

The IMD has issued a red alert for Delhi, with heavy rain, thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds expected across several parts of the capital.

India News

Karnataka suspends Amazon, Instamart, BigBasket licences over datura sales

Karnataka has suspended the food licences of Amazon, Instamart and BigBasket over the sale and listing of datura fruits and seeds.

Published

5 hours ago

August 25, 2026

APNLive Desk

The Karnataka Food Safety and Drugs Administration Department has temporarily suspended the food licences of Amazon, Instamart and BigBasket over the sale of datura fruits and seeds on their platforms for human consumption.

The action followed complaints regarding the sale and online listing of datura products on the platforms. The department had earlier ordered an inquiry into the matter.

During its investigation, the authority found datura fruits and seeds displayed for sale on various e-commerce platforms. In some cases, the products carried FSSAI licence or registration numbers despite being toxic and posing a serious health risk if consumed.

The investigation also found packets containing datura fruits and seeds bearing food licence or registration numbers. The products were reportedly stored in warehouses and offered for sale or distribution through online platforms.

What the companies told the regulator

Representatives of the companies appeared before the authority during the proceedings.

According to the order, Amazon did not submit a response, while Instamart sought additional time to submit documents regarding the action it had taken.

BigBasket said it had stopped the online sale of the fruits. It also said it would correct the labelling in the future to clearly state that the products are “Not for human consumption”.

The regulator, however, found the responses and explanations unsatisfactory and said that storing, selling or distributing the products as food was impermissible.

Licences of suppliers also suspended

The department has directed the concerned authorities to temporarily suspend, until further orders, the food licences issued to Amazon, Instamart and BigBasket.

The suspension can be reversed following a hearing if the platforms submit a response.

The licences and registrations of suppliers and sellers providing the products to the three online platforms have also been ordered to be suspended with immediate effect.

The order further directs the concerned food business operators to immediately remove or suspend online listings and advertisements offering datura fruits or seeds for food or human consumption.

India News

Gurugram waterlogging, traffic chaos leave resident stuck for 4 hours

Published

5 hours ago

August 25, 2026

APNLive Desk

A Gurugram resident expressed frustration after spending four hours travelling amid heavy rain and traffic congestion on Monday, August 24.

In a social media post titled “4 Hours and counting for an 8km round trip”, the resident said they had stepped out to pick up their child from school when heavy rain caused traffic to move at a snail’s pace.

The resident said that after four hours, they still had two kilometres left to reach their destination.

“It’s been 4 hours since I stepped out to pick up my kid from school. A total round trip of 8 kms and I still have 2 km left to go,” the resident wrote.

Heavy rain triggers waterlogging, traffic jams

Major parts of Gurugram were heavily inundated as the city witnessed 70–75 mm of rain.

Traffic movement was severely affected around several key locations, including Rajiv Chowk, Narsinghpur, the Sirhaul border and Subhash Chowk.

The resident strongly criticised the administration, describing the situation as a result of what they called “incompetence” and corruption.

Social media users share similar experiences

The post drew reactions from other social media users, several of whom shared their own experiences of travelling through Gurugram during the rain.

One user said they began trying to book an Uber auto at 2 pm, got one at 3 pm and reached Huda at 4:30 pm. The user also said they paid four times the fare.

Another user questioned road planning and infrastructure, arguing that better engineering and planning could help deal with recurring rain-related disruption.

A third user recalled being stuck for hours during heavy rain in 2016 and said a similar situation had occurred in 2026. The user also said they expected such disruptions to continue in the future.

Another social media user said there was “no accountability” and described governance as the underlying problem.

The reactions highlighted residents’ frustration over traffic disruption and waterlogging during heavy rainfall in Gurugram.