Tag: DELHI

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Crime India News Telugu Vaartha

Swindler in Passport Scam Arrested From Hyderabad

The accused used to lure victims on the pretext of sending them abroad by offering approved passports of foreign countries at cheaper rates

Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGI) officials arrested an alleged swindler from Hyderabad Airport involved in a syndicate who used to lure victims on the pretext of sending them abroad by offering approved passports of foreign countries at cheaper rates, police said on Thursday.

The accused has been identified as Sayed Shoukat Ulla (42) resident of Ismile Nagar Hyderabad and he was working as a ticket booking agent.

Two passengers and an agent travelling on fake passports from Malaysian country were arrested earlier. They started cheating innocent people to earn easy money.

“On September 11, 2022, two passengers namely Nilesh Shailesh Bhai Patel and a woman aged 26 yrs both residents of Gujarat arrived at IGI Airport, New Delhi after being deported from Azerbaijan by air carrier Air India Flight and approached for arrival immigration clearance,” Delhi police said.

During scrutiny of travel documents, it was revealed that both duo passengers departed to Dubai, UAE from Mumbai on July 21, 2022 on their Indian Passports.

“Later, they departed from Dubai, UAE to Baku, Azerbaijan via Muskat (transit) on their Indian Passport. But on reaching Baku, Azerbaijan, they produced forged Malaysian passports issued in their names for their entry into Baku which they had acquired fraudulently. The Baku Immigration Authorities returned both passengers to Muskat and after that, they were issued emergency certificates in Muscat, Oman to facilitate their return to India,” Delhi police added.

During the investigation, both above said passengers who were arrested earlier disclosed that their journey to Europe via Azerbaijan was arranged by one Agent Vijay Bhai Patel from Gujarat in lieu of Rs. 40.00 Lakh (20 Lakh for each). Agent namely Vijay Bhai Patel age 52 yrs was also arrested in this case earlier.

During further investigation, it was revealed that the accused Sayed Shoukat Ulla had booked the tickets of both passengers and also paid the booking amount through Google Pay and cash and was also involved in making forged Malaysian passports.

“Accused Sayed Shoukat Ulla age 42 years was absconding and deliberating evading his arrest in said case. The accused Shoukat Ulla Syed was nabbed from Hyderabad Airport as he was planning to abscond Dubai by flight,” police added.

Accused Syed disclosed that he was working as a ticket booking agent and he used to work on a commission basis along with other agents. In this case, he had booked the tickets of both passengers, made their stay arrangements in Dubai and helped in arranging forged Malaysian passports. In lieu of this, he had received a commission of Rs 13 lakhs approximately. He further confessed his involvement in this case and disclosed that he along with his associates started cheating people to earn easy money.

The accused has been booked in FIR No. 372/2022 U/s 419/420/468/471 IPC and 12 PP Act, IGI Airport police station.

Further efforts are being made to scrutinize his bank accounts and to trace their possible involvement in other similar complaints/cases. (ANI)

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Environment India News

Cold wave grips Delhi: Flights, trains delayed

The minimum temperature in Delhi on Sunday morning was recorded to be 8.5 degree celsius, as per IMD….reports Asian Lite News

The National Capital woke up to another chilling morning on Sunday as the temperature was recorded in single digit, causing inconvenience to passengers as several flights and trains were delayed.

According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), visibility at Delhi-Palam was reduced from 400 meters at 2:00 am to 100 meters at 2:30 am on Sunday, and it further reduced to 0 meters since 3:00 am.

The minimum temperature in Delhi on Sunday morning was recorded to be 8.5 degree celsius, as per IMD.

In another post on X, the IMD said, “Fog layer is very clearly visible over the plains of north India from Punjab to Bihar across Haryana, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, northwest Rajasthan, and north Madhya Pradesh at 6:30 am today.”

“Dense to Very Dense Fog observed in isolated pockets over Delhi, North Haryana, West Uttar Pradesh, West Madhya Pradesh,” the weather department added.

Nearly a dozen passenger trains to the national capital were also running behind schedule.

As per the northern railways, around 11 trains like the Amritsar-Nanded Express, Puri-New Delhi Purushottam Exp, Ambedkarnagar-Katra, and Manikpur-Nizamuddin Express, among others, were delayed due to dense fog conditions.

Similarly, at Delhi airport, people were seen waiting for their flights that were late by several hours. Some of the flights were also announced as canceled, causing inconvenience to the passengers.

“My flight was delayed because of fog. It was supposed to land here at 4:45 am, but it landed at around 5:35 am,” said Neha Beniwal, a passenger who came from Bahrain.

Delhi airport authorities also issued an advisory, stating that passengers are requested to contact the airline concerned for updated flight operations.

Notably, the IMD has predicted Very Dense fog conditions on January 22. Foggy conditions are likely to prevail for the rest of the days until January 27.

People were seen sitting around a bonfire to keep themselves warm as the cold wave continued in Delhi.

Meanwhile, on Saturday, low visibility was recorded in several parts of Northern India, causing inconvenience to passengers traveling by train and air. (ANI)

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Food Lite Blogs

Delectable Winter Delights on Delhi’s Streets

In Delhi, this delicious street dish is one of the most popular winter fare. Unexpectedly, during this season, sweet potato chaat or Shakarkandi vendors may be seen in practically every bazaar…reports Asian Lite News

 The winter streets of Delhi are a gourmet’s paradise. The street cuisine of the city offers a diverse range of flavours, including the well-known Daulat ki Chaat and the savoury Ram Laddoo.

In the summer, a lot of foods and snacks that are not very popular go berserk on the streets. In a similar vein, you frequently come across merchants selling foods you had no idea existed.

Daulat ki Chaat

Although the name would suggest otherwise, this is a distinctive and well-known sweet dish. Daulat ki chaat is a milk-based dish that is specifically manufactured solely during the winter and is meticulously prepared by sellers. After the milk and cream are combined, they are placed outside to collect dew for the night. After that, it is completely combined for hours. After that, the foam on top is gathered and served. Lastly, pistachios, almond shavings, khoya crumbles, and saffron taste are added as garnish to this light and airy milk foam. It creates one of Delhi’s most delicious, melt-in-your-mouth winter dishes.

Shakarkandi

In Delhi, this delicious street dish is one of the most popular winter fare. Unexpectedly, during this season, sweet potato chaat or Shakarkandi vendors may be seen in practically every bazaar. First, the sweet potatoes are sliced into bite-sized pieces after being perfectly cooked and skinned. Subsequently, the seller scatters numerous spices and a substantial quantity of lemon juice over it, blending them thoroughly. However, the end product is the tastiest, healthiest, and most delectable sweet-and-sour snack ever. You don’t need to second-guess this food!

Nihari

On a cold winter’s day, nothing feels more satisfying than a hearty, spicy dish of meat prepared the desi way. At this point, Old Delhi Nihari steals the show. This delicious dish of slow-cooked buffalo or goat meat, coated with royal spices and a healthy dose of fat, is served over soft and fluffy khamiri roti. Nihari, which is typically eaten for breakfast, is also one of those dishes that will leave a lasting impression on your taste buds. Put another way, nihari is one of those wintertime delicacies in Delhi that you just can’t resist, even though the spices may make you sneeze and sniffle.

Paranthas

The Paranthe Wali Gali is yet another treasure in Old Delhi. crammed with antique stores offering a wide variety of paranthas and fillings. A parantha is an oil-fried or roastable pancake made with filled dough. Though potatoes, peas, pork, cauliflower, radish, cottage cheese, eggs, etc. are common fillings for paranthas. However, the Paranthe Wali Gali provides a range of choices, including Manchurian parantha, green chilli parantha, rabri parantha, and khoya parantha. A heated, toasty parantha with a flavorful potato curry certainly brightens your day in the winter.

Kanji

Though it has nothing to do with warding off the cold, kanji is a refreshing drink that is especially prepared and sold in the winter since the veggies are in season. This is how it’s produced: First, submerge the beetroot and carrots in water. After that, add spices to the mixture (such as rock salt, mustard powder, chilli powder, etc.) and let it ferment for four to five days in the sun. The colour and flavour of the spices are absorbed by the water to create a drink that is high in vital nutrients, aids in digestion, boosts metabolism, and supports healthy skin and hair.

Halwa

Since they are served hot, many sweet Indian recipes are best appreciated in the winter. Condensed milk or sugar syrups are used to sweeten the rich dessert known as halwa. It has a wide range of foundational elements. A few popular ones are badam (nuts) ka halwa, moong dal (mung bean), gaajar (carrot) ka halwa, and suji (semolina) ka halwa. Additionally, the rich ingredients, sticky sweetness, warming qualities, and aromatic tastes of the desserts make them ideal for this winter season.

Pakode

Fried fritters, also known as pakodas, are a mainstay in every Indian home and the reason why winter get-togethers stay cohesive. A tangy tamarind chutney or a sour green tea paired with crispy, crunchy fritters will make anyone’s scowl disappear! Generally, pakodas are created with battered and fried vegetable pieces. Minced meat is a component of chicken and mutton pakodas.  Among them are paneer (cottage cheese) pakodas, egg pakodas, cheese pakodas, and even ice cream pakodas.

Dudh Jalebi

An increase in desires for scalding hot dishes occurs as the chilly weather takes hold. The smell of freshly baked jalebis permeates the air as you stand next to the vendor in your sweaters in Delhi’s streets. If you pair it with a cup of steaming milk, you’ll also have met your daily requirement of protein. Well, that’s a healthy decision, huh? Dip those hot jalebis into the milk and taste this delightful treat with a saffron hue. The crunchy sweetness and the long-lasting aftertaste. What more could a person possibly need?

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Lite Blogs Music

Soulful Echoes

Pandit Vishwanath took center stage on day two, presenting soulful Thumris and poignant Dadras, leaving the audience captivated…reports Asian Lite News

The music of Thumri and Dadra resonated through the Kamani Auditorium as Sahitya Kala Parishad, Department of Art, Culture, and Language, Delhi Government hosted the annual Thumri Festival from 26th to 28th December 2023.  The festival, a three-day musical adventure, featured the best performers of Thumri, enthralling the crowd with performances that combined creativity and tradition.

Day One: A Symphony of Tradition and Creativity

The inaugural day commenced with the ethereal notes of Smt. Padmaja Chakraborty, who skillfully intertwined the audience with the cultural richness of Thumri and Dadra. Her sublime fusion of tradition and innovation showcased enchanting renditions, starting with Thumri’s ‘Pardesi Balam, Preet Kiye Chala Jaaye’ in Raga Mishra, Kafi-Pilu, and Jat Taal. The mesmerizing evening continued with the soulful renditions of Padma Shri recipient, Dr. Soma Ghosh, from Banaras Gharana. She presented ‘Piya Ke Avan Ki Aas,’ ‘Aiso Nithur Mora Shyam Na Aaye,’ ‘Holi Khele Nahi Jaane,’ ‘Aare Rama Rimjhim Barse Paniya’ in Mishra Pilu Thumri, Khamaj Thumri, Raga Khafi, and Kajri Geet.  She continued her performance with a Tappa- ‘Virade Janiya’ in Raag Kafi and concluded it with a Dadra- Humri Atariya Pe Aao’. The first day concluded with the captivating voice of Vidushi Ashwini Bhide Deshpande, representing the Jaipur-Atrauli gharana. She presented Bandish in Raag Des, followed by Nirguniya Bhajan in Taal Dadra. As the evening continued, she sang two Dadras in Raag Chandrakauns and in Deepachandi Taal, respectively.

Day Two: Spellbinding Renditions and Musical Heritage

Pandit Vishwanath took center stage on day two, presenting soulful Thumris and poignant Dadras, leaving the audience captivated. Vidushi Shruti Sadolikar-Katkar followed, weaving an enchanting musical aura with her soulful performance presenting compositions like Kafi, Dadra, Pilu, capturing the essence of Thumri with finesse and grace. The dynamic duo of Padmabhushan Pt. Sajan Misra and Shri Swaransh Mishra brought the curtains down on day two, showcasing the rich heritage of Benaras Gharana, performing Thumris in Mishra Khamaj in Dipchandi Taal, Mishra Tilang in Jat Taal, and Bhairavi in Addha Taal.

Day Three: A Grand Finale with Legends

The festival’s final day witnessed the vibrant vocal of Sushri Pooja Goswami who started her presentation with a traditional thumri ‘Nadia bairan bhai’ in Raag Des, followed by a Bandish ki thumri by Wajid Ali Shah ‘Mohan rasiya aaye bagiya’ and concluded with a Dadra ‘Kanha ne anguri maror dayi re.’ The evening continued with the distinct flair of Sushri Sucheta Ganguly. She started off with a Thumri in Misra Khamaj – ‘Kare matware manharlino shyam’ then a Chaiti in Raga Misra Pahari – ‘Chait mas bolele Koyelia.’ This was followed by a Dadra in Raag Mishra Kausikdhwani – ‘Shayam tohe najaria lagjayegi’ and ended her performance with Mishra Shivranjani – ‘Pat rakho na rakho.’ The legendary Pandit Ajay Pohankar concluded the festival with a grand flourish. He sang Thumries such as ‘Bagon main pade zhoole,’ ‘Naina more taras gaye,’ and ‘Babul mora’ and many other in Ragas Khamaj and Kafi. The unique point of this recital was that he was collaborating with his son famous Indian classical Keyboardist Shri Abhijit Pohankar who is the only Indian to play classical music on a keyboard, thus bringing a new flavour to this genre. The father son duo since last 2 decades have created a new audience all across the world for a liking for their albums like ‘Piya bawari’

The soul-stirring tunes of Thumri and Dadra were honoured during the Sahitya Kala Parishad’s Thumri Festival, which left an enduring impression on Delhi’s cultural landscape. This three-day annual celebration ensured Thumri’s continuous resonance in the hearts of music lovers across generations.

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Environment

Delhi shivers in biting cold as temperature dips further

The IMD also issued a health advisory to the public warning against lung-related health impacts due to dense fog and cold wave…reports Asian Lite News

The cold wave continues to tightened its grip over Delhi-NCR with the minimum temperature recorded at 7.3 degrees on Thursday morning, as per India Meteorological Department data.

The maximum temperature is expected to be around 15 degrees in the national capital today and the fog conditions are likely to decrease in the next two days, the IMD said.

While IMD said that the cold wave is likely to persist for the next 2-3 days in Delhi and the National Capital Region.

As per IMD data, fog conditions were observed over Uttar Pradesh, Chandigarh, Rajasthan, and Bihar and dense fog prevailed over Madhya Pradesh and Tripura while the Jammu division experienced moderate fog conditions.

The air quality in several parts of Delhi remained in the ‘very poor’ category on Thursday, as per Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data.

According to the CPCB data, the Air Quality Index was recorded at 379 in RK Puram on Thursday morning, 312 in Lodhi Road, 377 ITO area and 387 in the IGI Airport area.

As per IMD, cold day to severe cold day conditions are likely to continue over some parts of Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan during the next two days and decrease thereafter.

Also, IMD said that dense to very dense fog is likely to continue over some parts of the plains of Northwest and East India during the next two days and gradually decrease thereafter.

A rise by 2-3 degrees in minimum temperatures is likely over many parts of Central and East India during the next 3 days and no significant change thereafter, the IMD said.

The IMD also issued a health advisory to the public warning against lung-related health impacts due to dense fog and cold wave.

“Dense fog contains particulate matter and other pollutants and in case exposed it gets lodged in the lungs, clogging them and decreasing their functional capacity which increases episodes of wheezing, coughing and shortness of breath,” the IMD said.

Warning against eye irritation, IMD said that pollutants in the air if exposed may tend to irritate the membranes of the eye causing various infections leading to redness or swelling of the eye. (ANI)

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-Top News Environment India News

Temperatures drop in the national capital

A patient from Bihar said that they have provided blankets are food also would be provided…reports Asian Lite News

A cold wave has gripped Delhi and parts of NCR as the minimum temperature recorded was 6.8 degrees Celsius at Lodhi Road on Monday morning by the Indian Meteorological Department. As the temperature dipped in Delhi, people were seen sitting by the bonfire in a bid to keep themselves warm. People took refuge at a night shelter in AIIMS.

IMD has recorded the minimum temperature in Delhi’s Safdarjung area to be at 7.1 degrees which is 1 degree below the normal for this time of the year. The Minimum temperature is predicted to range between 5 degrees and 8 degrees over this week with Friday December 22 predicted to have the lowest temperature at 5 degree.

A caretaker at the AIIMS night shelter said, “Those who are coming from other states for treatment can take shelter here after seeing their Aadhar and OPD card and those who are sleeping outside in the cold can also take shelter here. They can come here anytime in 24 hours. We provide bed sheets and blankets. Food is also provided thrice a day. There are a total of 40 beds here.”

A patient from Bihar said that they have provided blankets are food also would be provided.

People were seen sitting by bonfire in Mandi House to keep themselves warm.

A local said, “We are facing severe problems. It is getting too much cold. Sometimes people donate blankets. Some miscreants have entered government night shelters so we are forced to sleep on footpaths.”

Dense fog also engulfed the National Capital along with the cold wave on Monday morning.

A local resident said that today the temperature is less compared to last two days and due to fog it was taking more time to reach the destination.

Earlier, Indian Meteorological Department scientist Naresh Kumar briefed about the weather change expected in northwest India due to the Western disturbance in the Himalayan region.

IMD Scientist Dr Naresh Kumar said, “Right now, the temperature is normal in the northwest India which may fall about one to two degrees in the next two days and two to three degrees in the east India.

“There is a cloud patch in Jammu and Kashmir due to the western disturbance that is causing rainfall, and snowfall, all over the region. We are not expecting any weather change in the plains of northwest India. We are witnessing another western disturbance that will affect northwest India starting from the 22nd of December but it will mainly affect the Himalayan region. Although we are not expecting any active western disturbance as a result the temperature will remain normal,” he said.

Kumar said that no cold wave is expected in northwest India for the next two to three days.”

In Delhi, the temperature was recorded at almost 6.5 degrees which is almost near normal, and it will remain 6-7 degrees for the next two days,” he added. (ANI)

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-Top News Environment India News

Delhi’s double trouble: Chilling cold and poor air quality

People could be seen jogging and working out at a park in the Kashmiri Gate area, which was covered with a thin layer of haze….reports Asian Lite News

Delhi woke up to foggy conditions on Sunday morning following a slight drop in minimum temperature. The temperature in the national capital was recorded at 7 degrees Celsius at 5:30 am.

People could be seen jogging and working out at a park in the Kashmiri Gate area, which was covered with a thin layer of haze.

Earlier, Delhi recorded a temperature of 7.4 degrees Celsius at 5:30 am on Saturday.

Meanwhile, air quality in the national capital continued to hover in the ‘very poor’ category on Sunday morning, according to the System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting And Research (SAFAR).

As per the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the Air Quality Index (AQI) at IGI Airport (T3) was recorded at 311 at 8.00 am. The AQI in the New Moti Bagh area was recorded in the ‘very poor’ category at 331. The air quality in Punjabi Bagh was recorded in the ‘very poor’ category at 382.

The AQI at Anand Vihar was recorded in the ‘very poor’ category at 385.

As the temperature in New Delhi dropped, the city’s homeless sought refuge in night shelters. One such shelter is in Sarai Kale Khan, which is open 24 hours a day and provides bathing facilities, food three times a day, and medical care, including a clinic and medicine.

Suraj, a homeless person staying at the night shelter in Sarai Kale Khan,, praised the facilities and staff.

“The shelter is open 24 hours a day, and there are also bathing facilities here. I used to live outside before, but when I found out about this night shelter in Sarai Kale Khan, I came here to stay. The sleeping arrangements here are all okay. There is also a washroom here, and there are facilities for everything. And the staff here do their duty well 24 hours a day. We get food here three times. There is a clinic here for medical care, and we also get medicine here,” Suraj told ANI.

Akshay and Mohammad Nausad, caretakers of the shelter, highlighted the availability of 20 beds, separate blankets for everyone, a ‘Mohalla Clinic’, and a medical team. They emphasised that the shelter is open to anyone at any time.

“There are 20 beds here and separate blankets for everyone. For medical, there is a ‘Mohalla Clinic’ here and we also have a medical team. Food comes three times a day here,” Akshay, one of the caretakers of the night shelter in Sarai Kale Khan, said.

“Anyone can come and stay in this shelter at any time. This shelter remains open 24 hours a day,” Mohammad Nausad, another caretaker of the night shelter in Sarai Kale Khan, said.

Sombi, a disabled resident, appreciated the shelter’s special bathroom for the disabled.

“I used to sleep outside on the road earlier, and when I learned about this night shelter, I came here. This night shelter has a special bathroom for the disabled,” he said. (ANI)

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India News

As fog shrouds Delhi, overall AQI slips to ‘Very Poor’ category

Visuals from outside Munirka Metro station showed a thick layer of fog descending on the area, resulting in low visibility…reports Asian Lite News

The overall air quality index in the national capital slipped to the ‘Very Poor’ category on Sunday, the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) informed.

Even as a thick layer of fog blanketed the city on a lazy Sunday, the AQI was recorded in the ‘Very Poor’ range, at 345, in the RK Puram-Munirka area at 8 am on Sunday, according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).

The air quality in Anand Vihar stood at 315 at 8 am, according to CPCB data.

Visuals from outside Munirka Metro station showed a thick layer of fog descending on the area, resulting in low visibility.

According to CPCB, AQI at ITO was also recorded in the ‘Very Poor’ range at 324 in the morning, at 8 am.

The AQI Dhaula Kuan also hovered in the ‘Very Poor’ category, according to the CPCB.

After a brief spell of respite brought on by rains, the overall AQI in the national capital slipped to ‘Very Poor’ on Friday. The CPCB pegged the overall Air Quality Index (AQI) at Anand Vihar at 374 on Friday morning.

Earlier on Thursday, the overall air quality in the national capital was recorded in the ‘Poor’ range.

SAFAR-India (System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research) recorded the city’s overall AQI at 276 on Thursday morning.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD), earlier, put out a forecast for the national capital, saying there was no likelihood of showers till December 11. It predicted clear skies with shallow to moderate fog in the morning across the city.

The city has been experiencing air quality in the range of ‘severe’ to ‘very poor’ over the last few weeks.

Earlier, on Sunday, the IMD issued a fog alert in isolated areas over five states on December 10 and 11.

Aligarh in neighbouring Uttar Pradesh was also in the grip of fog on Sunday morning.

The IMD said dense fog during the morning hours was very likely in isolated pockets over north Madhya Pradesh, sub-himalayan West Bengal, Sikkim, Assam, and Meghalaya on December 10 and 11. (ANI)

IMD issues fog alert for five states

India Meteorological Department issued a fog alert in isolated areas over five states on December 10 and 11.

As per an IMD statement, dense fog during the morning hours is very likely in isolated pockets over north Madhya Pradesh, Sub-Himalayan West Bengal, Sikkim, Assam and Meghalaya on December 10 and 11.

IMD further forecasted that a fresh feeble Western disturbance is likely to affect the Western Himalayan Region from December 11.

Hailstorms are also likely in isolated places over Sub-Himalayan West Bengal and Sikkim on December 12, the IMD statement mentioned.

Also, the weather department has informed that the cyclonic circulation Michaung that ravaged the states of Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh in the last few days has now weakened and converted into a low-pressure area in Jharkhand.

“The cyclonic circulation Michaung has weakened and converted into a low-pressure area in Jharkhand causing light to moderate rainfall across the state in short spells,” AE Kujur, a meteorologist from India Meteorological Department (IMD) Ranchi said. (ANI)

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-Top News Environment India News

Capital chokes

Several residents and commuters in the national capital complained of breathing problems and urged the government to mobilise steps to curb air pollution at the earliest…reports Asian Lite News

A thick toxic haze or ‘smog’ continued to hang heavy over the national capital as the air quality remained in the ‘severe’ category on Wednesday, the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) informed.

According to the data shared by the CPCB, the Air Quality Index (AQI) in Anand Vihar was recorded at 452, while it was at 433, 460, 382, and 413 at RK Puram, Punjabi Bagh, Sri Aurobindo Marg and Shadipur, all in the ‘severe’ category.

Several residents and commuters in the national capital complained of breathing problems and urged the government and the authorities concerned to mobilise steps to curb the runaway air pollution at the earliest.

Voicing concerns over the deteriorating air quality, a commuter told ANI, “This toxic air is giving us breathing problems. The government should mobilise urgent steps to bring us some respite.”

Gulab Singh Shukla, another resident, said, “The deteriorating air quality is proving to be a public health hazard. Residents, especially daily commuters, are suffering and the government should act at the earliest.”

Jatin, a cyclist, said, “The air pollution is getting worse and people are literally struggling to breathe. The AQI is deteriorating by the day. The government and all agencies concerned should take note of our problems and announce further steps to curb pollution.”

Satish Mishra, another resident, said the governments of the northern states were trading blame and pointing fingers at each other instead of trying to control the worsening air pollution.

“If not controlled now, this could have a more severe impact on public health than Covid. Masks are back on the faces of residents here as the air quality is going from bad to worse,” Mishra told ANI.

The Supreme Court on Tuesday expressed grave concern over the hazardous air quality in the national capital and directed that farmers should stop stubble burning forthwith in Punjab, Haryana, and western Uttar Pradesh, saying it was one of the major contributors to air pollution.

A bench of Justices Sanjay Kishan Kaul and Sudhanshu Dhulia made the local State House Officer, under the overall supervision of the Chief Secretary and the Director General of Police, responsible for preventing crop burning.

It further directed that a meeting be held on Wednesday between the states to ensure that crop burning is stopped forthwith.

Further, the top court noted that smog towers installed as per an earlier order are not working and directed the government to ensure they are repaired.

The top court also asked chief Secretaries of the states to hold a meeting either physically or by Zoom on the pollution issue. “Eminent Secretary should call for a meeting tomorrow, whether physically or via Zoom. All stakeholders will connect to ensure that we have a better picture and some redemption by Friday,” it added.

It also observed that schemes like odd-even for vehicles to tackle pollution issues mere optics.

Air pollution levels can be high during the winter months for a number of reasons, including dust and vehicular pollution, dry-cold weather, stubble burning, burning crop residues after the harvest season, and commuting.

Cold air is denser and moves slower than warm air, so it traps pollution and doesn’t whisk it away. This means that air pollution in winter remains in place for much longer than during the summer.

According to doctors, for any healthy person, a recommended AQI should be less than 50, but these days the AQI has spiked beyond 400, which could prove fatal for those suffering from lung-related diseases and even pose a risk of lung cancer.

Meanwhile, the air quality index (AQI) in Prayagraj district in neighbouring Uttar Pradesh, slipped to the ‘poor’ category on Wednesday.

Mumbai air quality deteriorates

Meanwhile, air quality in Mumbai continued to remain in the ‘Moderate’ category on Wednesday.

The overall Air Quality Index (AQI) stood at 149 at noon according to data provided by the System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research (SAFAR)-India data.

Many areas in the city dipped to ‘poor’ and ‘very poor’ air quality.

The state pollution control meter, installed at Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (CST) reflected the air quality of Mumbai as ‘very poor’ at 7 am. A health alert was also issued at the CST area due to the deteriorating air quality.

The air quality index varied in different areas of Mumbai. In the Bandra Kurla Complex, the air quality was recorded in a ‘moderate’ category, with an AQI of 200 at 9 am. Meanwhile, Colaba and Borivali East reported ‘moderate’ air quality with an AQI of 151 and 141, respectively.

On Tuesday, the air quality remained in the ‘poor’ category in the Bandra Kurla complex, which is one of the important commercial areas of Mumbai. Although the average AQI of the city was recorded to be 145 (moderate), as per the data released by SAFAR.

The Bombay High Court on Monday passed interim directions for the Maharashtra government and municipal authorities in Mumbai and surrounding areas to mitigate the issue of worsening air pollution.

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Environment Environment and WIldlife India News

Delhi to Start Odd-Even System to Curb Pollution

Under this plan, vehicles with odd-numbered license plates can drive on odd dates, and those with even-numbered plates on even dates….reports Asian Lite News

In bid to combat the worsening air quality in the national capital, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal chaired a high-level meeting on Monday, focusing on addressing the air pollution crisis, and decided on various measures, including launching the odd-even scheme next week.

Expressing his deep concern about the situation, Kejriwal and his cabinet colleagues, including Environment Minister Gopal Rai, Transport Minister Kailash Gahlot, Health Minister Saurabh Bhardwaj, and Education Minister Atishi, deliberated on key decisions to mitigate the issue.

Addressing the media on the government’s strategy after the meeting, Rai said that the government has decided to implement the Odd-Even scheme from November 13 to 20, post-Diwali, in response to the anticipated surge in pollution levels.

Under this scheme, vehicles with licence plates ending in odd numbers (1, 3, 5, 7, and 9) will be allowed to operate on odd days, while vehicles with even-numbered plates (0, 2, 4, 6, and 8) will be permitted on even days.

“A comprehensive action plan, developed in collaboration with relevant departments, including Transport and Traffic Police, will be formulated during a meeting on Tuesday,” he said.

“Furthermore, the government has extended the closure of schools for students in Classes 6, 7, 8, 9, and 11 grades until November 10, in addition to the existing closure of schools up to Class 5. Notably, board exams for Classes 10 and 12 will proceed as scheduled,” said Rai.

In response to concerns raised about the efficacy of pollution control efforts, Rai said that the Delhi government’s continuous year-round commitment to reducing pollution through various long-term initiatives, such as the Summer and Winter Action Plans.

“According to scientists and the meteorological department’s analysis, the main reason for the rise in pollution within Delhi is the continuous drop in temperatures and very low wind speed. The air quality index (AQI) in Delhi was 347 on October 30. Subsequently, it increased to 359 on October 31, 364 on November 1, 392 on November 2, 468 on November 3, and 415 on November 4. Then, on November 5, it increased further to 454, and on Monday, it was recorded at an AQI of 436, which had peaked at 468 in between,” he said.

“To reduce vehicular pollution in Delhi, the Transport Department and Traffic Police have conducted campaigns to check Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificates. A fine of Rs 10,000 is imposed for violating PUC norms, and 28,471 fines have been issued to vehicles during the periods of Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) levels I, II, and III,” said Rai.

“This has helped in controlling vehicles that contribute to pollution in Delhi. Moreover, an anti-dust campaign was conducted in Delhi, where 12,769 construction sites were inspected. Violations of norms were found at 324 locations, resulting in fines of around Rs 74 lakh. Complaints related to the increase in pollution have been received through the Green Delhi app. From October 3 until now, 1,646 complaints have been registered, and 1,581 of these complaints have been resolved with the cooperation of various departments.”

“Additionally, 233 smog towers have been installed at various projects, and 106 anti-smog guns have been installed on government buildings to control pollution. Mobile anti-smog guns have been spraying water on the roads at 192 locations,” Rai claimed.

“Various teams have been deployed for different tasks, such as addressing open burning, checking vehicle emissions, and enforcing restrictions on fireworks. In total, 611 teams are working in the field to address open burning, 385 teams are checking vehicle emissions, and 210 police teams have been formed to control the use of firecrackers.

“Furthermore, 82 MRTs (Multi-Tasking Resource Vehicles) are cleaning the roads through water sprinkling and cleaning. An additional 345 water sprinklers from various departments are working on the roads to mitigate pollution in different areas. The concerted efforts include the installation of 233 smog towers at different project sites and 192 mobile anti-smog guns spraying water on the roads. Additionally, 106 anti-smog guns have been installed in various government buildings to combat pollution,” he added.

The Environment Minister further said that in Delhi, there is a complete ban on fireworks.

“Last time, despite the ban, fireworks were set off in various places. In this regard, the police have been instructed to keep their teams on alert, as Diwali is just a few days away.

“Additionally, there are World Cup matches, and Chhath Puja is also approaching.”

The Environment Minister urged the BJP governments in Uttar Pradesh and Haryana to impose a ban on fireworks in their states as well and monitor the situation to prevent it from deteriorating further.

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