Latest news with #DelhiPollutionControlCommittee
Time of India
4 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
Walkers to decide if Nehru Park should get air purifiers; activists aren't so sure
New Delhi: Delhi Pollution Control Committee is conducting a three-day on-site survey to gather feedback from morning and evening walkers on the installation of air purifiers at Nehru Park, Delhi environment minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa said. The minister said the final decision about installation will be based on the analysis of public response. Sirsa earlier announced plans to set up 150 outdoor air purifiers at Nehru Park, where breathable air is available to people the entire year, especially during the peak winter season. The survey, which began on Sunday, will continue till Tuesday, after which the feedback of walkers and joggers will be analysed. "The initiative of installing air purifiers is designed for the people, especially for walkers. Hence, their feedback is crucial in this exercise," said Sirsa. He said if the public disapproves of the idea, they may consider alternative spaces. "We are also exploring busy markets. The plan is to create clean spaces where the air quality is within permissible limits throughout the year, especially during winter months when pollution is high," said Sirsa. You Can Also Check: Delhi AQI | Weather in Delhi | Bank Holidays in Delhi | Public Holidays in Delhi The DPCC has set up a kiosk at Nehru Park, asking the public to fill out a form with a question: "Would you like to have an air purifier in your park?" The question includes four responses: "Yes, any day"; "Yes, when low maintenance and low cost"; "No"; and "I only want trees." However, experts and some walkers opposed the plan. They said the focus should be on eliminating regional and local sources of pollution. Sunil Dahiya, founder and lead analyst at think tank EnviroCatalysts, said: "While the use of air purifiers at sensitive locations in closed environments such as hospitals can be recommended, using purifiers in open environments is not the scientific approach to reducing air pollution . " Green activist Bhavreen Kandhari said Delhi's plan to install 150 outdoor air purifiers in Nehru Park is a troubling repeat of past policy failures. "The Rs 25 crore smog towers at Connaught Place and Anand Vihar were deemed ineffective. DPCC confirmed they reduced PM2.5 levels by just 17% within a limited 100m radius, while costing Rs 15 lakh per month to operate. Scaling such technology across the city would cost over Rs 11 lakh crore, a huge misuse of public funds. Worse, this project is being trialled in Nehru Park, one of the city's few green lungs, where air quality is already better than surrounding zones. This reflects a fundamental policy disconnect ," said Kandhari. She added that what Delhi needs is tough enforcement against pollution sources, not cosmetic fixes in isolated green spaces. "Citizens don't need more purifiers in parks. We need cleaner air across the city," she said. Scoffing at the idea of air purifiers being planned for an open-air place like Nehru Park, a regular walker said, "Forget big air purifiers, water purifiers at Nehru and Lodhi Gardens don't work very often. If anything, only more trees should be planted, wherever possible, across polluted urban areas.... Somehow, only big-ticket spending ideas catch the fancy of the powers that be." Sirsa had earlier said that the air purifiers can be installed in a small area of just two square feet. Each unit will consume nearly 1,500 electricity units in a month for 24x7 operation. He added that if the technology is feasible, govt will try bring a private player and get the purifiers installed.
Time of India
17-07-2025
- Automotive
- Time of India
DPCC launches innovation challenge to reduce emissions from overage vehicles
New Delhi: The Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) will launch an innovation challenge focusing on identifying and promoting low-cost, easy-to-maintain and effective technological solutions capable of reducing or absorbing PM2.5 and PM10 emissions (at least twice the amount emitted) from End-of-Life Vehicles (ELVs) operating within the territory of Delhi. A standing order was issued by the environment minister, Manjinder Singh Sirsa, to the DPCC on Thursday in this regard. The order stated that the proposed technologies or devices may be fitted inside or externally on the vehicle and be designed to neutralise, capture or offset PM2.5 and PM10 pollutants beyond the levels emitted by the ELV. The solutions should emphasise affordability for end-users, ease of installation and maintenance, scalability and real-world feasibility. "The challenge shall be launched within 30 days from the issue of this order, followed by evaluation and declaration of results within 90 days of launch," the order said. You Can Also Check: Delhi AQI | Weather in Delhi | Bank Holidays in Delhi | Public Holidays in Delhi The challenge will be open to individuals, startups, research institutions and technology developers across India. To select the technologies, an independent panel of technical experts should be constituted for the purpose of evaluating the submissions. "A premier technical institute such as the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi shall be formally requested to lead this technical committee and participate in the evaluation and selection process. The panel may also include representatives from environmental engineering institutes, automotive sector experts and members from the DPCC," said the order. The order stated that the final report outlining the submissions received, the evaluation methodology and recommended solutions will be shared with the govt for final approval. "DPCC has been asked to show a formal outline of the project, including a problem statement, within five days from the issuance of this order." The environment minister said, "Reducing vehicular pollution in Delhi is a challenge for us. Delhi govt is exploring all options to reduce vehicular pollution."
Time of India
17-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
MCD panel clears key infrastructure and civic projects, ETInfra
Advt Advt The standing committee ofon Wednesday approved several infrastructure and civic projects, which were pending due to its non-formation for over two years. The projects included construction of an ingesta plant at the Ghazipur slaughterhouse for processing paunch waste and a dedicated automated parking at Bharat Darshan Park, phase-wise replacement and maintenance of LED public lights in four zones, comprehensive maintenance of 24 mechanical road sweepers and procurement of 17 backhoe loaders for better sanitation services in four committee gave the nod to the rate and the agency for the construction of a multilevel puzzle parking for 188 vehicles at Bharat Darshan Park. "Equipped with advanced technology, the facility at such a high-footfall tourist destination will help regulate traffic and provide relief to visitors," said standing committee chairman Satya Sharma. The agency will be responsible for the installation, testing, commissioning, operation and maintenance of the parking for 10 years. The ₹31.6-crore project will be completed in 12 called the approval for the ingesta or dung processing plant at the Ghazipur slaughterhouse a significant step towards cleanliness and environmental protection. In May 2022, the slaughterhouse was shut down after Delhi Pollution Control Committee withdrew its consent for operation, referring to a National Green Tribunal order and the violation of norms. On July 6, 2022, DPCC permitted the abattoir to reopen on NGT's directive to fulfil norms in a time-bound manner, including the installation of the ingesta and RO concessionaire has installed the RO plant on a public-private partnership model. After multiple efforts, MCD identified an agency for running the ingesta plant last year. "But the project was costing around ₹6 crore and needed approval from the standing committee," said an official.A comprehensive proposal to replace approximately four lakh LED lights on streets, parks, etc., in a phased manner across Central, South, West and Najafgarh zones was also approved with conditions. The proposal, costing ₹1,144.3 crore, also includes the operation and maintenance of these lights for 10 years. It received the administrative approval and expenditure sanction in an MCD house meeting earlier. However, it needed a final nod from the standing committee for finalising the rate and the agency.A proposal related to strengthening the sanitation system and improving garbage collection in Central zone for six months and another for procuring 17 backhoe loaders for West, Najafgarh, Central and South zones were also passed.A decision to extend the service of 11 NGOs to manage 12 cremation grounds was approved. "A decision has been taken to extend their agreement till December 31, 2026," MCD stated. The standing committee also okayed the site regarding the development and construction of a DTC depot at the Hari Nagar facility.>
The Hindu
16-07-2025
- Health
- The Hindu
Pollution in Delhi stretch of Yamuna spiked in June, as per DPCC
The pollution level in the Yamuna river stretch in Delhi increased in June compared with the previous month, according to the Delhi Pollution Control Committee's (DPCC) monthly water quality report. The 54-km Delhi stretch of the Yamuna is one of the most polluted river stretches in the country. Over the past three decades, the Supreme Court and the National Green Tribunal have passed several orders directing authorities to clean the river. The levels of faecal coliform (microbes from human and animal excreta) and biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) have increased at Asgarpur, the point where the Yamuna exits the city, as per the DPCC report. BOD is the amount of dissolved oxygen consumed by microorganisms to decompose organic matter. A higher BOD implies a greater pollution load. In June, the faecal coliform level in Asgarpur was found to be 24,00,000 MPN (most probable number) per 100 ml, which was 4,800 times the desired limit of 500 MPN/100 ml considered safe for bathing, as per the Central Pollution Control Board. In May, the level was 23,00,000 MPN/100 ml, 4,600 times the desirable limit. Faecal coliform levels at multiple other points of the river have also shown an increase. The level of faecal coliform and BOD at Palla, where the river enters Delhi from Haryana, has also shown an increase in June compared with May, suggesting that the river was more polluted when it entered the national capital. However, at all points in Delhi where water samples were tested, except Palla, faecal coliform levels were found to be above the desirable and the 'maximum permissible' levels. 'The pollution level is rising and data show that there is an increase in the amount of untreated sewage entering the river,' said Sushmita Sengupta, senior programme manager (water), Centre for Science and Environment (CSE). In May, a report by CSE, a Delhi-based research and advocacy group, noted that the levels of faecal coliform in the Yamuna, an indicator of the sewage load in a river, were so high in Delhi that the river stretch in the Capital was practically a 'sewage canal'.
Hindustan Times
15-07-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Delhi: DPCC frames new SOP for recovery of eco compensation
The Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) has submitted a new Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to the National Green Tribunal (NGT) to streamline the imposition and recovery of environmental compensation (EC) from violators of environmental laws. Delhi: DPCC frames new SOP for recovery of eco compensation The SOP, prepared in June, defines strict timelines to reduce delays and ensure accountability. According to the document, a show cause notice must be issued within five working days of an inspection, while the order to impose EC must be passed within 60 days of serving the notice. Once the EC is imposed, violators will be given 15 days to deposit the penalty. If unpaid, two reminders will follow. 'If the EC is not realised within 90 days from the order date, a recovery letter will be sent to the concerned SDM with the member secretary's approval,' the SOP stated. To be sure, EC is a monetary penalty levied on polluters, and funds collected are used for ecological restoration. Though a policy for EC imposition was prepared in 2022, this SOP aims to accelerate recovery and limit pendency. 'Timelines are clearly defined to ensure a fixed process of notice issuance and recovery,' a DPCC official said. The SOP follows an NGT directive in January asking DPCC to detail recovery steps in cases where no legal appeal or stay is pending. According to data submitted to NGT, between 2015 and June 30, 2025, ₹130.5 crore was recovered as EC, and ₹59 crore was spent on its utilisation. The highest share — ₹19.62 crore — went to water body rejuvenation, followed by ₹13.9 crore on publicity and printing. Funds were also used for air monitoring stations, lab instruments, and research.
