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AIR POLLUTION NEWS

Despite remaining hazardous, air quality showed marginal improvement from the previous day, when AQI had touched 633 during peak hours.

Delhi AQI remains in ‘very poor’ category today, equivalent to smoking 13 cigarettes a day

December 27, 2025 2:10 pm

Pollutant levels remained alarmingly high, with PM2.5 recorded at around 299 micrograms per cubic metre and PM10 at 400 micrograms per cubic metre.

Led by Shweta Vernekar, senior programme associate at the city-based NGO Parisar, the “AQI Walk” covered the 1.5-kilometre stretch between Swargate and Mahatma Phule Mandai metro station. (Express Photo)

Highest recorded AQI: 421 as Pune citizens walk with monitors in hand, to map city's pollution

December 27, 2025 10:08 am

The idea was to make air pollution visible,” said Vernekar. “People often hear the words PM 2.5 or AQI without realizing what they mean. With these monitors, they can literally see the numbers rise and fall as the surroundings change.

The Delhi High Court taking note of the emergency due to air pollution asked the GST council to meet at the earliest and decide whether GST on air purifiers can be slashed.

'See no reason why 5% GST can also not be provided for air purifiers': Delhi HC seeks panel response on slashing GST

December 24, 2025 4:32 pm

Delhi HC on air purifier GST: Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela said we breathe at least 21,000 times a day and asked the to calculate the harm air pollution is causing to our lungs just by breathing.

The PIL before the Delhi High Court strongly criticises the differential tax treatment accorded to air purifiers as compared to other medical devices.

Air purifier not luxury, PIL before Delhi High Court seeks reclassification as medical devices, challenges 18% GST

December 24, 2025 2:10 pm

Delhi High Court PIL air purifier: The PIL says that imposing the highest GST slab on air purifiers during an ongoing air pollution crisis infringes on the fundamental right to life and clean air under Article 21.

For a choking Delhi, going electric is the way out

December 23, 2025 8:08 am

Delhi cannot solve a structural problem through seasonal theatrics. What it needs is a permanent clean-transport war room and a unified five-year mission

Mumbai man's AQI experiment shows why N95 masks are important tool to fight air pollution: 'Don't confuse protection with a solution'

December 22, 2025 2:28 pm

Children, the elderly, pregnant women, and people with asthma, COPD, heart disease, or other respiratory conditions are particularly vulnerable

Panchkula air turns ‘very poor’, fourth worst in country; Chandigarh improves to ‘poor’

December 22, 2025 9:20 am

According to data released by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) at 4 pm on December 21, based on the 24-hour average, Panchkula recorded an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 339, triggering serious public health concerns.

At a time when people in Delhi had taken to the streets to demand clean air, parliamentarians could have sent a message for much-needed accountability in environmental governance. (Credit: sansad.in, enhanced using Google Gemini)

From the Opinions Editor: Vande Mataram and Parliament’s silences on air pollution

December 23, 2025 4:09 pm

At a time when protestors in Delhi were demanding clean air, parliamentarians failed in sending a message for much-needed accountability in environmental governance.

In the viral video, the man first showed the AQI in his area, which is Juhu Beach.

‘India soon to be a masking nation’: Mumbai man puts N95 mask on air quality monitor, AQI drops to almost 37; video sparks public outcry

December 21, 2025 1:11 pm

As soon as the mask covered the air inlet, the AQI began to drop rapidly, stopping at 37.

IIT-Kanpur's lab on wheels is studying Delhi's pollution

How IIT-Kanpur is using mobile labs and AI to map solutions for Delhi’s pollution

December 22, 2025 11:29 am

The team stationed a state-of-the art lab at two locations — Anand Vihar and Dwarka — to pinpoint where Delhi’s pollution comes from and how it can be solved.

AIR POLLUTION PHOTOS

How polluted air may weakens the health benefits of exercise

December 04, 2025 4:57 pm

Study finds that polluted air weakens health benefits after exercise.

Bronchitis: Signs to watch out for amid winter pollution

December 04, 2025 10:41 am

These are the signs you should watch out for bronchitis amidst the ongoing winter pollution in Delhi-NCR.

6 essential oils that help with internal cleansing amid air pollution

November 25, 2025 4:05 pm

Essential oils are not a cure, but certain plant-based oils may support internal cleansing by aiding detox pathways.

What is the link between air pollution and diabetes?

November 19, 2025 9:19 am

Here's everything you need to know about the link between air pollution and diabetes.

Subtle signs that indicate air pollution is affecting you

November 17, 2025 4:01 pm

These are subtle signs that actually indicate that you are getting affected by air pollution.

Smog smothers Delhi-NCR for second day as AQI stays in ‘severe’ zone

November 12, 2025 6:01 pm

A thick haze blanketed Delhi-NCR for the second straight day, with air quality remaining in the ‘Severe’ category and key areas like Wazirpur and Bawana recording AQI levels above 450.

Air pollution: Major risks to watch out for

November 12, 2025 12:34 pm

As the AQI index reads 'hazardous for many parts of Delhi, Delhi NCR and Noida, here are six major risks to watch out for.

In Pictures: Thick Smog Blankets Delhi as AQI Soars Past 560

November 08, 2025 4:13 pm

Delhi woke up to a thick blanket of smog today as the city’s air quality dipped to the “hazardous” category. The AQI crossed 560 in several areas, reducing visibility and prompting health advisories

Is there a link between air pollution and dementia?

October 24, 2025 4:12 pm

New study shows that air pollution is linked to dementia. Here's everything you need to know about it.

Take a cue from Manushi Chhillar's visit to Kasauli and plan a trip to these hill stations near Delhi for a breath of fresh air

November 27, 2024 11:26 am

Plan your own tranquil escape to these serene hill stations near Delhi, perfect for a quick getaway from the choking hazard of threatening AQI levels.

AIR POLLUTION VIDEOS

Air pollution is reducing life expectancy by a year: News in Numbers

June 22, 2020 6:09 pm

How much traffic the KMP Expressway, inaugurated by PM Modi, will cut: News in Numbers

June 22, 2020 6:10 pm

The Kundli-Manesar-Palwal expressway is expected to help decongest the roads of Delhi and hence help cut down some of the pollution in the national capital. Here’s how much decongestion it is expected to lead to.

Mapping Delhi’s air quality, the week after Diwali: News in Numbers

June 22, 2020 6:11 pm

A look at the Air Quality Index during the week after Diwali in Delhi shows the amount of damage firecrackers have done with a little input from stubble burning in Punjab.

The impact of stubble burning on Delhi’s air pollution: News in Numbers

June 22, 2020 6:11 pm

Stubble burning is the deliberate setting fire of the straw stubble that remains after wheat is harvested. The smoke from this practice is often blamed as a major factor in Delhi’s air pollution. This is what the data says.

How pollution killed over 1 lakh children in 2016: News in Numbers

June 22, 2020 6:12 pm

Over 1.25 lakh children in India below the age of five died in 2016 due to the impact of polluted air and almost one in five children who die from toxic air exposure across the world is from India, a new study by the World Health Organisation has sai

Supreme Court puts a partial ban on firecrackers just before Diwali

June 22, 2020 6:13 pm

The Supreme Court has put a partial ban on firecrackers and asked central and state pollution boards to monitor air quality a week before and after Diwali. Here’s what the court said.

Pollution levels drop a bit in Delhi: News in Numbers

June 22, 2020 6:18 pm

Some good news for the people of Delhi. A slew of measures taken by multiple agencies on the city’s air pollution problem seem to have actually produced a slight respite. See more: https://bit.ly/2M2t86i

Air pollution is reducing life expectancy by a year: News in Numbers

June 22, 2020 6:18 pm

Airports Authority of India organizes Cycle Expedition for Green and Clean India

February 15, 2016 4:32 pm

New Delhi, Feb 15 (ANI): Air pollution and green house gas emissions are posing severe challenges to our health. Sensitizing people on issues relating to pollution, Airports Authority of India organized the All India Relay Cycle Expedition 2015-16 with green India and clean India messages. The aim of the cycle relay was to spread awareness on pollution control and promote cycling as a healthy practice. The expedition was flagged off by senior officials of Airports Authority of India from Rajiv Gandhi Bhawan in New Delhi. Seventy-five cyclists will cover more than 1,600 kilometers, touching over 20 cities spread over 5 states in a span of 23 days. The 5-leg expedition will cover Gwalior, Kota, Udaipur, Jaipur and will return to New Delhi on 9th March. Cycling is one of the most sustainable and environment-friendly transportation modes and the Airports Authority of India is initiating a green campaign in this direction for its own staff. Apart from promoting healthy and environment friendly habits, Airports Authority of India also undertakes several sports related initiatives and organizes sports activities throughout the country. As part of the green initiative, Airports Authority of India has also installed solar lighting in new terminals, water harvesting and the sewage water is being used for horticulture.