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Time of India
12 hours ago
- General
- Time of India
No air pollution in Gurgaon? All Haryana AQI monitoring stations have been defunct since April
In a shocking revelation, all 29 air quality monitoring stations run by the Haryana State Pollution Control Board (HSPCB) have remained offline since April 2, leaving the state without reliable pollution data. With the peak pollution months of October and November approaching, officials warn that the absence of real-time air quality information may undermine enforcement of mitigation strategies across India's most polluted region, a TOI report stated. No state-wide air quality data since April The HSPCB's entire monitoring network started going offline after October 31 last year. By December-end, nearly half of the stations had stopped recording data. The remaining stations gradually went offline until the entire network stopped functioning in April 2025. The only available air quality data now comes from two India Meteorological Department (IMD) stations, one in Gurgaon and the other in Panchkula. Explore courses from Top Institutes in Please select course: Select a Course Category Public Policy Leadership Operations Management CXO Data Science Healthcare PGDM healthcare Data Analytics Degree Others Artificial Intelligence MCA Finance Cybersecurity MBA Data Science Project Management Product Management Management Digital Marketing others Technology Design Thinking Skills you'll gain: Economics for Public Policy Making Quantitative Techniques Public & Project Finance Law, Health & Urban Development Policy Duration: 12 Months IIM Kozhikode Professional Certificate Programme in Public Policy Management Starts on Mar 3, 2024 Get Details Skills you'll gain: Duration: 12 Months IIM Calcutta Executive Programme in Public Policy and Management Starts on undefined Get Details On days when these two stations experience technical glitches, as recently seen in Gurgaon, Haryana is left with no pollution data at all. Maintenance contract expired, no backup in place The disruption began when the pollution control board allowed its maintenance contract with the previous operator to lapse after five years. No interim arrangement was made to keep the system running. 'There should have been a contingency plan. Even if you want to bring in a new vendor, you don't shut off surveillance entirely. That's like switching off CCTV in a high-crime zone because you are changing the camera vendor,' a senior HSPCB official admitted. Live Events Tender process delayed, could miss October deadline A fresh tender floated in May attracted only one bidder, which was automatically disqualified under procurement rules requiring at least two participants. A revised tender is expected to be issued this week, with a deadline for submissions by late August. Officials estimate that the full selection process—including technical and financial evaluation, review by a high-powered committee, and final approval from the chief minister's office—could take 60 to 90 days. This means that the network might not be restored before the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) comes into effect on October 15. Experts flag serious risks during peak smog season Experts warn that the monitoring blackout could have serious implications. Shubhansh Tiwari, research associate at Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), said, 'This blackout is likely to have serious consequences. Winter is the most polluted time of year in Haryana, with air quality often slipping into 'very poor' or 'severe' category due to stagnant weather, crop residue burning and fossil fuel emissions. Without functioning monitors, district authorities can't track local AQI levels, identify pollution spikes, decide when to implement pollution curbs.' Sunil Dahiya, founder and lead analyst at Envirocatalysts, said, 'Decisions on opening bids for new contracts for govt services are usually planned well before the existing one ends, especially for maintaining such critical infrastructure as air quality monitoring in a state like Haryana, which lies in one of the most polluted areas. It's unfortunate that this happened, but it should serve as a reminder to plan better for the future and for other states.' Broader impact on pollution control programmes Without continuous monitoring, officials say that key frameworks like GRAP, the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP), and Haryana's state-specific action plans will be affected. These programmes require consistent data to evaluate performance and implement pollution-control measures. Manoj Kumar, an analyst at the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA), said, 'In the absence of real-time data, it is tough to assess if efforts are underway to restore the monitoring system ahead of the upcoming peak pollution season. This gap in information affects both public awareness and the ability to evaluate policy response.' Limited coverage from IMD stations The two IMD-operated monitors in Gurgaon and Panchkula are inadequate to reflect air quality across Haryana's diverse regions. 'You can't extrapolate Delhi's air to Karnal or Hisar,' said a senior officer working on the clean air programme. 'The pollution sources, local weather patterns, and emissions vary. A single reading from Gurgaon tells you nothing about what's happening in Yamunanagar or Panipat.' The officer added that even a city-wide average may not reflect conditions in all its neighbourhoods. Gurgaon's alarming air quality in early 2025 An analysis by CREA found that January 19, 2025, was Gurgaon's 'overshoot day'—the date by which PM2.5 levels had already crossed the annual limit set by the World Health Organisation. Even if the city had registered zero pollution for the rest of the year, it still would not meet the WHO standard. The study ranked Gurgaon as the fifth most polluted Indian city in the first half of 2025. Officials confirm fresh tender to be floated When contacted, HSPCB chairman Vineet Garg confirmed that the board is in the process of changing certain conditions in the tender and will float the new bid by the end of July. Until then, however, there will be no operational monitoring stations across the state. (Inputs from TOI)
Time of India
a day ago
- Business
- Time of India
Deadline Drift: Seven Key Projects Worth 700 Crore Caught In GRAP
New Delhi: From critical road repairs to courtrooms, several infrastructure projects in the city totalling over Rs 700 crore in tendered costs have been moving in low gear for some time. One common retardant is the city's pollution control framework, which prohibits construction during high pollution, besides factors like design delays and weather-related disruptions. At least seven projects overseen by the Public Works Department, ranging from road strengthening to the construction of district court complexes, reported delays. In four high-value roadworks, each with a tendered cost exceeding Rs 5 crore, progress was hampered by the restrictions under the Graded Response Action Plan and the weather. In fact, GRAP resulted in some projects commencing as late as three months after their scheduled start. An example is the Rs 5.39 crore project to strengthen a section of Guru Ravi Dass Marg from Maa Anandmayee Marg to Mehrauli-Badarpur Road. Originally scheduled to begin in Aug last year, work did not start until Dec. The revised completion date is set for July 31. Likewise, stretches such as Outer Ring Road from Modi Mill flyover to Chirag Dilli flyover and another extending to the IIT flyover, which involved cold milling and recycling processes. The combined tender value of these works exceeds Rs 19 crore. These projects were affected not only by GRAP, but also by delays in engineering approvals and planning clearances. You Can Also Check: Delhi AQI | Weather in Delhi | Bank Holidays in Delhi | Public Holidays in Delhi While the road projects are expected to meet their revised July 31 deadlines, far more substantial delays have plagued the three major court infrastructure developments at Shastri Park in northeast Delhi, Karkardooma in Shahdara, and Rohini in northwest Delhi. Originally targeted for completion by Jan 2026, all three are now projected to be delayed by 9-10 months until late 2026. The Rs 120.5 crore district court complex at Shastri Park remains in its early stages, with only 7% of the work completed to date. This is despite the site receiving clearance for construction earlier in the year. Progress has been just as slow (7% work completed) at Karkardooma, where the multi-storey court block is being constructed opposite the existing court building at a cost of Rs 124 crore. The reasons for the delay include late submission of structural drawings and persistently high groundwater levels at the site. The most ambitious of the three court complexes is at Sector 26 in Rohini. This involves the construction of basements, a ground floor and two multi-storey towers, designed to accommodate many courtrooms and lawyers' chambers. Despite administrative approval and funding being sanctioned in Jan 2024, construction only began in June. As of now, only 3% of the work is completed. The original completion date of Feb next year has been put off to Oct 31. Sources said high water levels in the area impacted the excavation for the foundation of the buildings. Collectively, these delays reflect the multifaceted challenges faced by infrastructure projects in the city, where bureaucratic lag, regulatory constraints and seasonal pressures often converge. With over Rs 700 crore tied up in these seven projects, PWD faces mounting pressure to accelerate progress and prevent further slippage on sorely needed public facilities.
Time of India
5 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Delhi-Noida Traffic: Sarita Vihar flyover repairs begin, traffic diversions in place until 8 August; Check alternate routes
The Sarita Vihar flyover 's Badarpur-Ashram carriageway will stay closed until 8 August as the Public Works Department ( PWD ) resumes major repair work. This flyover, one of the busiest in south Delhi, links key parts of the capital to Faridabad and Noida. Traffic Police confirmed the closure will affect commuters from southeast Delhi, especially those heading towards Ashram, and have urged people to avoid the route for the next two weeks. Explore courses from Top Institutes in Please select course: Select a Course Category Healthcare healthcare Design Thinking Leadership Public Policy Digital Marketing Operations Management Data Analytics MBA PGDM MCA Management others Others Artificial Intelligence Degree Product Management Project Management Data Science Technology Data Science CXO Finance Skills you'll gain: Financial Analysis in Healthcare Financial Management & Investing Strategic Management in Healthcare Process Design & Analysis Duration: 12 Weeks Indian School of Business Certificate Program in Healthcare Management Starts on Jun 13, 2024 Get Details A traffic advisory issued on Thursday said round-the-clock structural rehabilitation was essential for long-term safety and smooth flow of vehicles. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Binghatti Twilight: Dubai's New Architectural Marvel Binghatti Developers FZE Learn More Undo Years of delays behind the work This isn't a sudden fix. The repairs were first initiated back in October 2024, but didn't go far. Pollution levels spiked soon after, triggering the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), which halted construction activities to reduce dust pollution. 'The work had to stop due to elections and environmental restrictions. Fresh clearances have now been obtained, and we're ready to complete the second phase of repairs,' a senior PWD official said. Live Events That wasn't the only obstacle. The Model Code of Conduct during Lok Sabha elections, weather disruptions, and delayed traffic approvals also held things up. Even earlier, in 2023, the project was on paper but didn't get going due to missed deadlines and administrative lapses. Traffic police approvals were pulled when diversion notices failed to appear in time in newspapers. Then came the Kanwar Yatra, piling more pressure on city routes. So while the stretch has waited 24 years for a proper overhaul, getting work started proved harder than expected. Congestion alert for Southeast Delhi With the Badarpur-Ashram carriageway now shut, congestion is already building up. Commuters coming from Badarpur, Faridabad, and Noida will feel the pinch, especially during rush hours. Key points likely to get clogged include Sarita Vihar, New Friends Colony, Okhla, and Govindpuri. Traffic Police has deployed 50 additional officers across these choke points to keep flow steady. Still, delays could stretch up to an hour. Two alternative routes for commuters To avoid the jam-prone corridor, Delhi Traffic Police has suggested two main diversion routes. Route 1: Vehicles from Badarpur can use MB Road, heading towards Pul Prahladpur and Lal Kuan. From there, take a right onto Maa Anandmai Marg, pass Crown Plaza and Govindpuri, then turn right at Modi Mill flyover and left onto Mathura Road to reach Ashram. Route 2: Use the slip road beside Sarita Vihar flyover, take a left onto Okhla Road. Turn right at Crown Plaza, continue via Govindpuri, and follow the same path as Route 1 to Ashram. Restrictions on heavy vehicles To prevent gridlock, heavy and commercial vehicles will be restricted from using Mathura Road between Badarpur and the flyover. A police advisory said these restrictions will be enforced as needed depending on traffic volumes. Emergency vehicles are allowed but have been advised to take alternative routes where possible to avoid getting stuck. In their advisory, Delhi Traffic Police made an appeal for public cooperation. 'We request commuters to avoid the closed section, follow the diversion plans and directions from traffic staff on duty.' For real-time traffic updates, motorists can check the Delhi Traffic Police website, follow official social media handles, or use the helpline numbers. The flyover repair is expected to wrap up by 8 August, if conditions stay on track. Until then, patience and planning will help Delhiites get through another stretch of roadworks on an already strained network.
News18
5 days ago
- News18
Delhi-Noida Traffic To Be Hit As Sarita Vihar Flyover Partially Closed
Last Updated: PWD to resume repair work on the Sarita Vihar flyover from Friday, leading to partial closure till August 8, likely causing heavy traffic from south-east Delhi, Noida, Faridabad The Public Works Department (PWD) will resume repair work on the Sarita Vihar flyover from Friday, resulting in its partial closure until August 8. The flyover's closure is expected to impact traffic from south-east Delhi, Noida, and Faridabad. Consequently, Delhi Traffic Police has issued an advisory detailing traffic restrictions and alternative routes for commuters. PWD officials announced that the carriageway from Badarpur to Ashram will be closed for repairs. The department had initially started long-pending repair work in October 2024, but it was suspended midway due to rising pollution levels and the implementation of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) to control dust pollution in Delhi-NCR. To manage traffic during the closure, at least 50 additional police personnel have been deployed on the flyover. A senior PWD official stated, 'The repair work was delayed due to elections, the model code of conduct, and weather conditions. Fresh permissions were also required for traffic restrictions." The Sarita Vihar flyover, located on Mathura Road, connects Delhi to Noida (Uttar Pradesh), Faridabad (Haryana), and parts of south-east Delhi. This is the first time in 24 years that the flyover will undergo major repairs. The PWD initially planned to start repair work in 2023. However, it faced repeated delays due to various reasons, including the untimely publication of traffic diversion notices in newspapers, which led to the withdrawal of traffic police approval. Other factors like the Lok Sabha elections, Kanwar Yatra, and rising pollution levels also contributed to the postponements. Traffic Advisory & Alternative Routes According to traffic police, commuters travelling from Badarpur in south-east Delhi towards South Delhi and Faridabad will likely face congestion near Mathura Road. Areas like Sarita Vihar, New Friends Colony, Okhla, and Govindpuri may experience long traffic jams. The route from Badarpur to Ashram via the flyover will remain closed. Police have urged people to avoid the affected stretch and use the following alternative routes: Alternative Route 1: Commuters from Badarpur can take MB Road towards Pul Prahladpur and Lal Kuan, turn right towards Maa Anandmayi Marg, Crown Plaza, Govindpuri, and then use Modi Mill flyover to reach Mathura Road and the Ashram. Alternative Route 2: Travellers can also use the slip road adjacent to the Sarita Vihar flyover, turn left towards Okhla, go through Crown Plaza and Govindpuri, and then take a right turn at Modi Mill flyover to reach Mathura Road. Expect Heavy Congestion Traffic police officials added that the movement of heavy and commercial vehicles will be restricted on Mathura Road between Badarpur and the Sarita Vihar flyover. For the past week, traffic has already been disrupted in Kalindi Kunj, Mathura Road, and Sarita Vihar due to restrictions in place for the Kanwar Yatra. With the repair work now resuming, traffic congestion in these areas is expected to worsen over the next two weeks. First Published: July 25, 2025, 10:53 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Hindustan Times
5 days ago
- Hindustan Times
Delhi: Sarita Vihar flyover to be repaired, hit traffic
The Public Works Department (PWD) is set to resume repair work on the Sarita Vihar flyover from Friday, partially shutting it until August 8, which is likely to affect traffic flow from southeast Delhi, Noida and Faridabad, with the traffic police giving clearances and announcing traffic curbs and alternative routes for motorists. Sarita Vihar flyover. (HT Archive) The carriageway from Badarpur to Ashram will now be shut for repairs, PWD officials said, adding that they started the long-pending repair work in October 2024, but paused it midway due to rising pollution levels and subsequent enforcement of the Graded Response Action Plan (Grap) to mitigate dust in Delhi-NCR. Traffic Police said they have made all necessary arrangements and deployed at least 50 additional staffers at the flyover to regulate traffic flow. 'The work had stopped due to the election, model code of conduct and some weather conditions. Then fresh permissions were sought for traffic restrictions before starting work,' a PWD official said. The Sarita Vihar flyover, which connects Delhi with Noida in Uttar Pradesh, Faridabad in Haryana and pockets of southeast Delhi, will undergo its first major repair in 24 years. The flyover is located on the Mathura Road. PWD had announced it would undertake repairs in 2023, but work has been delayed multiple times over the past two years due to a multitude of issues, such as untimely publication of traffic diversion advertisements in newspapers leading to withdrawal of clearance from traffic police, Lok Sabha elections, Kawar Yatra and rising pollution. After pausing work last October, PWD shut parts of the flyover for repair work. The first phase of the repairs is complete, said PWD officials, citing repairs on the carriageway from Ashram to Badarpur. Alternative routes announced According to information shared by the traffic police, people travelling from Badarpur in southeast Delhi to south Delhi and onwards to Faridabad, will face traffic congestion near Mathura Road. A senior police officer said that hour-long jams may be recorded in areas of Sarita Vihar, New Friends Colony, Okhla, and Govindpuri. In an advisory, the Delhi Traffic Police said that the carriageway from Badarpur to Ashram will remain closed and asked commuters to avoid the affected stretch. The police said, 'Vehicles moving from Badarpur border and heading towards Ashram via Mathura Road may use two alternate routes.' Commuters from Badarpur border can use the MB Road to move towards Pul Prahladpur and Lal Kuan, and then make a right towards Maa Anandmai Marg, Crowne Plaza, Govindpuri, and further use the Modi Mill flyover to reach the Mathura Road and then Ashram. The police said that besides, commuters can also use the slip road adjacent to the Sarita Vihar flyover, turn left for Okhla, move towards Crowne Plaza and onwards to Govindpuri, where they can turn right towards the Modi Mill flyover to reach Mathura Road. Traffic officials said movement of heavy and commercial vehicles on Mathura Road from Badarpur towards Sarita Vihar flyover will be restricted. Motorists have been facing traffic woes in and around Kalindi Kunj, Mathura Road and Sarita Vihar due to curbs imposed for the Kanwar Yatra over the past week. The repair work will further exacerbate motoring issues for two more weeks. Ananya Sen, 29, who works near Moolchand Hospital, said, 'We have already been facing problems because of the Kanwar route. I have to go to Sarita Vihar and there's absolutely no traffic management by the police. This is going to be the same as when government was repairing Chilla flyover. We will have to suffer 1-2 hours waiting in cars or autos...'
