Pollution

A landmark study and a sweeping legal move have thrust India’s air-quality crisis into the spotlight, urging policymakers and courts alike to treat polluted air not just as an environmental issue but a full-blown public health emergency.

The cost of Tuesday’s two flights alone is estimated at ₹1.2 crore (approximately) as part of the pilot. While rainfall did not materialise, IIT Kanpur reported modest reductions in particulate matter (PM₂.₅ and PM₁₀) at test locations, roughly 6 to 10 per cent lower concentrations.

In a decision that has reignited debate over the balance between tradition and public health, the Supreme Court on Wednesday allowed the use of green firecrackers during the upcoming Diwali season in the Delhi-NCR region, under tightly controlled conditions.

Yadav assessed the compliance status of various Central ministries, municipal authorities, and government bodies in relation to decisions taken earlier – particularly those from a September 16 review.

The entire process – from pre-bid submissions to evaluations and the issuance of letters of award – is expected to follow a Build–Own–Operate (BOO) model over a 10-year term.

The joint study, led by Jahangirnagar University’s departments of Zoology and Environmental Science, documents the presence of microplastics not only in river water and sediments but also inside insect bodies.

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta told reporters she was confident the state was “fully geared to fight pollution,” referencing the Centre’s approval of the cloud seeding plan.

Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa has ordered a time-bound scientific study of photocatalytic “smog-eating” coatings, including titanium dioxide-based surfaces, hoping they may offer a drawbridge between policy and technological innovation to reduce harmful pollutants like nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) and volatile hydrocarbons.