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Time of India
16-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
26k flats in stalled Amrapali projects ready, 8k by Sept
Noida: Marred by delays over GRAP restrictions and fund crisis, National Buildings Construction Corporation (NBCC) will complete the construction of 8,000 flats in the stalled projects of Amrapali Group by Sept 2025, six months after its initial deadline of March. Of the 37,000 stalled units that govt-run construction company was tasked to complete under Supreme Court-appointed court receiver, 26,800 flats have been constructed so far. The last of the stalled projects, Adarsh Awas Yojna, is expected to be ready by March 2026. You Can Also Check: Noida AQI | Weather in Noida | Bank Holidays in Noida | Public Holidays in Noida So far, around 13,300 buyers have got possession of their homes. NBCC officials said once units are ready, they notify the court receiver, which verifies documents before issuing no-objection certificates (NOCs) to homebuyers. NBCC CMD KP Mahadevaswamy told TOI that although the projects were initially planned for completion by March 2025, construction-related restrictions under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) and delays in approvals for additional floor area ration (FAR) led to a funding crunch. "As a result, the first phase will now conclude by Sept 2025, except for Adarsh Awas Yojna, which has close to 2,000 flats and will be completed by March 2026," he added. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Experience the thrill on every turn with the new SP125 Honda Learn More Undo NBCC has collected around Rs 2,600 crore from buyers, with Rs 500 crore still pending from about 3,900 units. Currently, work is underway in two phases of Verona Heights and Dream Valley Phase 2, and some other projects. Launched in 2010, Amrapali projects faced severe delays, prompting homebuyers to approach the National Consumer Forum and later the Supreme Court in 2017. Following an SC-ordered forensic audit submitted in March 2019, which revealed gross fund mismanagement, the court appointed a receiver and designated NBCC as the project management consultant in July 2019. Initially, NBCC struggled with funding but later secured Rs 650 crore from SBI CAP for six projects and a Rs 1,500 crore loan from a consortium of banks. It also collected Rs 2,200 crore from homebuyers and recovered around Rs 2,000 crore by selling Amrapali promoters' assets to keep the construction moving. NBCC has also infused over Rs 650 crore from its own funds.
India Gazette
29-06-2025
- General
- India Gazette
"Working to lower AQI...conducting study in Nehru Park": Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa
New Delhi [India], June 29 (ANI): Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa on Sunday announced plans to install outdoor air purifiers at Nehru Park as part of a pilot project to create the city's first 'clean air zone'. The initiative aims to reduce pollution levels in public spaces, particularly in areas with high foot traffic, such as parks. 'AQI is a big challenge in Delhi. We are working to lower the are conducting a study in Nehru Park. As many people come to this area for morning walks and exercise, we are trying to determine if we can lower the AQI in a particular location...,' said Sirsa. Improve air quality in Nehru Park by installing outdoor air purifiers that can cover an area of approximately 600 square meters each. The project will be funded through Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) partnerships with private firms, ensuring that there is no direct financial burden on the government. The air purifiers use a unique system to capture and store polluting particles, operating 24/7 with minimal maintenance requirements. Earlier today, Sirsa and PWD Minister Parvesh Sahib Singh Verma inspected Nehru Park on Sunday. Delhi recorded a 'satisfactory' AQI of 84 today, as per the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) Nehru Park attracts hundreds of walkers, joggers, and yoga enthusiasts daily, making it an ideal location for testing air purification technology. By reducing pollution levels in public spaces, the initiative aims to create healthier environments for citizens. Earlier on June 15, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) revoked the already enforced Stage-I of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) in the National Capital Region (NCR) with immediate effect after AQI was recorded at 140. The Sub-Committee on GRAP further reviewed the air quality scenario in the region, as well as the forecasts by the India Meteorological Department (IMD) and the air quality index of Delhi, during its meeting. 'AQI of Delhi has shown consistent improvement due to favourable meteorological conditions, and the AQI of Delhi has been recorded as 140 for June 15, 2025 (in 'Moderate' category). Further, the forecast by IMD/IITM also predicts AQI to mainly remain in the 'Moderate' category in the coming days,' the order issued by the CAQM read. Accordingly, the subcommittee decided to revoke its order, which invoked actions under Stage-I ('Poor' Air Quality) of the extant GRAP in the entire NCR, with immediate effect. 'All the agencies of the concerned State Govts./GNCTD in the NCR, in an effort to sustain the better AQI levels as being experienced currently and not to let the air quality slip to the 'Poor' category, however need to ensure that all statutory directions, advisories, orders etc. issued by the Commission are followed and implemented in right earnest, including the rules/ regulations/ guidelines issued by MoEFCC and the Central Pollution Control Board and related instructions/ guidelines issued by the respective State Govts./GNCTD and Pollution Control Boards/DPCC, across all contributing sectors,' the order read. (ANI)
Hindustan Times
17-06-2025
- Health
- Hindustan Times
Ozone pollution this year highest since 2021 in Delhi: Report
Delhi has recorded its highest ozone (O3) levels this summer in the last five years, with readings breaching the safe mark for 14.2 hours on an average in a day, a report shows. This eight-hour rolling average has gone up from 12 hours in a day from the last two summers, 11.7 hours in 2022 and 12.2 hours in 2021, according to the report released by Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) on Tuesday. The eight-hour safe standard for the pollutant is 100 μg/m3. The analysis also shows that Delhi recorded its widest geographical spread of ozone exceedance in the past five years this summer, with south Delhi and northwest Delhi being the worst impacted. CSE said ground-level ozone levels exceeded the national safety standards on all 92 days in the summer period – considered as March 1 till May 31, while it exceeded the safe standards on 83 out of the 92 days in the summer. 'Ground-level ozone pollution remained consistently high across the region, with the maximum concentration exceeding 100 µg/m³ on each of the 92 days between March 1 and May 31, highlighting the persistent and widespread nature of the problem. The worst day in terms of spatial spread was April 28, when 32 out of 58 monitoring stations across the region reported ozone levels above the safe limit. The highest regional intensity was recorded on April 13, with the Delhi-NCR average reaching 135 µg/m³..' said the analysis. Unlike primary pollutants (emitted directly from sources), ozone is not emitted directly from any source, but is formed through chemical reactions involving nitrogen oxides (NOx), volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and carbon monoxide — pollutants released by vehicles, power plants, factories and other combustion sources. In the presence of sunlight, these substances undergo a series of cyclic reactions that result in the formation of ozone near the ground. CSE took into account summer trends from 2021 to 2025 (up to May 31) available on the Central Pollution Control Board's official portal. Data showed that Nehru Nagar was the worst impacted station, exceeding standards on all 92 days. This was followed by Najafgarh (82 days) and Okhla Phase-II (81 days). In comparison, six locations – Anand Vihar, IHBAS, ITO, Shadipur, Narela and Knowledge Park in Greater Noida did not exceed the standards even on a single day this summer. 'This summer, several days have recorded ozone — instead of particulate matter — as the lead pollutant in the daily Air Quality Index (AQI). Out of 18 days between May 25 and June 11, ozone has been the lead pollutant on 12,' said Anumita Roychowdhury, executive director and in-charge of clean air programme at CSE. 'But there is no system to address this problem under the current Graded Response Action Plan for emergency action to reduce exposure or to address its sustained mitigation with longer term clean air action plan. While the policy attention is nearly fully focused on particulate pollution, co-control of toxic gases from vehicles, industry and combustion sources that contribute to ozone formation in the air is neglected,' she said, calling for focused action against the highly reactive gas.
Time of India
17-06-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Ground-level ozone at 5-yr high; south, northwest Delhi worst hit
New Delhi: The city experienced its highest ozone levels in five years this summer, according to a study by the Centre for Science and Environment. The eight-hour rolling average of the gas exceeded safe standards for 14.2 hours daily, increasing from 12 hours in previous summers. The analysis revealed that south and northwest Delhi were most affected, showing the broadest geographical spread of ozone exceedance since 2018. The study indicated that ground-level ozone surpassed national safety standards throughout the 92-day summer period from March 1 to May 31, with breaches occurring on 83 days. The established eight-hour standard for O3 is 100 micrograms per cubic metre. "Ground-level ozone pollution remained consistently high across the region, with the maximum concentration exceeding 100 microgram per cubic metre on each of the 92 days between March 1 and May 31, highlighting the persistent and widespread nature of the problem," the study said. "The worst day in terms of spatial spread was April 28, when 32 out of 58 monitoring stations across the region reported ozone levels above the safe limit. The highest regional intensity was recorded on April 13, with the Delhi-NCR average reaching 135." Ozone forms through chemical reactions involving nitrogen oxides, volatile organic compounds and carbon monoxide, which are released by vehicles, power plants and factories. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 34歳以上の男性が今年最高のPCゲームと絶賛！今すぐ無料でダウンロード BuzzDaily Winners ゲームをプレイ Undo These substances react in sunlight to create ground-level ozone. This highly reactive gas poses serious health risks. It can inflame and damage the airways, increase susceptibility to infections and worsen respiratory conditions such as asthma, chronic bronchitis and emphysema. CSE analysed summer trends from 2021 to 2025 (until May 31) using CPCB's official online portal, Central Control Room for Air Quality Management. The findings showed Nehru Nagar breached the safe level on all 92 days, followed by Najafgarh (82 days) and Okhla Phase-II (81 days). Only six locations, Anand Vihar, IHBAS, ITO, Shadipur, Narela and Knowledge Park in Greater Noida, maintained levels below the standard. On several days this summer, therefore, ozone was the lead pollutant instead of particulate matter in the daily air quality index. "Out of 18 days between May 25 and June 11, ozone was the lead pollutant on 12," said Anumita Roychowdhury, executive director, CSE. The study also said there was no system to address the ozone problem under the Graded Response Action Plan. "While the policy attention is nearly fully focused on particulate pollution, co-control of toxic gases from vehicles, industry and combustion sources that contribute to ozone formation in the air is neglected," Roychowdhury pointed out, calling for measures to curb ozone.
Time of India
16-06-2025
- General
- Time of India
Delhi AQI improves to 140; CAQM lifts GRAP Stage-I restrictions across NCR
New Delhi: With Delhi's Air Quality Index (AQI) improving to 140 on 15 June, 2025, the Commission for Air Quality Management ( CAQM ) revoked Stage-I restrictions of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) across the National Capital Region (NCR) with immediate effect. According to the Central Pollution Control Board's (CPCB) daily bulletin, the AQI recorded for June 15 stands at 140, placing it in the 'Moderate' category. The Sub-Committee on GRAP of CAQM, which reviewed the air quality and meteorological forecasts from the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) and the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM), unanimously decided to withdraw Stage-I measures. 'Keeping in view this trend of improvement in the AQI of Delhi and also the forecasts by IMD/ IITM predicting the average air quality of Delhi to stay in 'Moderate' category in the coming days, the CAQM Sub-Committee on GRAP unanimously decided to revoke Stage-I of the extant schedule of GRAP in the entire NCR, with immediate effect,' CAQM said. GRAP Stage-I was enforced on June 7, 2025, in the entire NCR in view of deteriorating air quality. However, the panel noted that due to favourable meteorological conditions, Delhi's AQI has remained consistently in the moderate range, with forecasts suggesting similar trends in the coming days. All concerned agencies of State Governments and the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (GNCTD) have been instructed to ensure continued implementation of directions and advisories issued by CAQM, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC), CPCB and the respective State Pollution Control Boards/DPCC. The Commission emphasised the importance of sustaining current air quality levels and avoiding any deterioration to the 'Poor' category. Agencies were also reminded to comply with all timelines outlined in CAQM's comprehensive air pollution control policy, particularly on dust mitigation and other sectoral actions. The Sub-Committee stated that it will continue to monitor the air quality in Delhi and surrounding areas and will review the situation based on future forecasts by IMD and IITM for any necessary action.
