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Jasjeev Gandhiok

Articles by Jasjeev Gandhiok

Delhi govt plans to phase out single-use plastic in 2022

Senior environment department officials involved in framing the policy said the document will be shared with all government departments “within the next fortnight” for suggestions and comments before being tabled in the cabinet meeting.

According to the policy, the first phase was to be implemented on January 1. However, that seems unlikely since the policy is yet to be approved by the Cabinet. (HT Archive)

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Published on Dec 28, 2021 11:30 PM IST

ByJasjeev Gandhiok

Best of times, worst of times: Delhi’s air see-sawed in 2021

The city may have got some control over its air in non-winter months, but the annual November-January smog build-up remains a major problem area

A view of a bridge engulfed in thick smog at ITO Yamuna river in New Delhi. (Amal KS/HT Photo)

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Updated on Dec 28, 2021 03:17 AM IST

ByJasjeev Gandhiok, Hindustan Times, New Delhi

Worst December air spell holds Delhi in vice grip

Delhi recorded an average Air Quality Index (AQI) of 459 on Sunday, the worst since November 12, when the index had a reading of 471.

Visitors on a boat amid poor visibility due to dense fog, near Yamuna Bazaar, on Sunday. (Sanchit Khanna/HT)

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Updated on Dec 27, 2021 02:45 AM IST

ByJasjeev Gandhiok, Hindustan Times, New Delhi

Delhi: Experts call for steps to sustain wildlife at Asola Bhatti sanctuary

With striped hyenas and leopards, the natural park not only has top predators and scavengers, but a variety of herbivores, largely fulfilling a complete foodchain and ecosystem

Three leopards have been captured on camera traps at the Asola Bhatti wildlife sanctuary. (Sourced)

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Updated on Dec 27, 2021 03:11 AM IST

BySoumya Pillai and Jasjeev Gandhiok, Hindustan Times, New Delhi

Power plants around Delhi are far from meeting norms to reduce air pollution

While Delhi may have shut down its last thermal power plant in Badarpur in 2018, experts say air quality in the National Capital Region cannot improve until coal-based thermal power plants are phased out

A truck mounted with an anti-smog gun is being used to spray water droplets to curb air pollution, at Kashmiri Gate in New Delhi. (Amal KS/ HT photo)

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Updated on Dec 24, 2021 05:21 PM IST

ByJasjeev Gandhiok

Delhi’s air pollution levels in ‘severe’ zone for 3rd consecutive day

Weather and environment experts have said that a mix of factors may have led to the worsening of air quality, including lower-than-expected wind speed and a poor assessment of the impact of lifting restrictions

Despite three consecutive “severe” days, no restrictions were reimposed by CAQM on Thursday, however an official, on condition of anonymity, said that situation was being “closely monitored”. (Amal KS/HT Photo)

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Updated on Dec 24, 2021 03:23 AM IST

ByJasjeev Gandhiok, Hindustan Times, New Delhi

Delhi pollution body hires 50 environmental engineers, to train them via 3-week module

Officials of DPCC said this training module, which HT has had a look at, will be the guiding tool for all future recruitments for technical positions, with particular focus on air pollution

The Delhi government also inducted 28 “green fellows” last month to fill vacant seats in the environment and forest departments. (HT Photo)

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Published on Dec 23, 2021 12:36 AM IST

ByJasjeev Gandhiok

Designated feeding spots latest sticking point in conflict over stray dogs

Many are opposed to multiple feeding spots; some even want them to be fixed outside colony boundaries

A designated dog feeding site in Vasant Kunj. (HT)

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Updated on Dec 23, 2021 05:15 AM IST

ByJasjeev Gandhiok, New Delhi

NCR resolved 50% pollution-related complaints: CPCB

Among the NCR states, Delhi is faring best, having resolved nearly 63% (761) of the 1,214 complaints filed during this period.

A truck mounted with an anti-smog gun is being used to spray water droplets to curb air pollution in New Delhi. A senior CPCB official, on the condition of anonymity, said most complaints were related to dust violations, construction and demolition waste and instances of open waste burning. (Amal KS/HT Photo)

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Updated on Dec 22, 2021 01:48 AM IST

ByJasjeev Gandhiok, New Delhi

Delhi airport records lowest carbon emissions: Study

Delhi airport is followed by the Kuala Lumpur airport (5.83 million tonnes), Tokyo’s Haneda Airport (6.53 million tonnes) and Dallas’s Fort Worth airport (7 million tonnes)

The airport operator, Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL), said the airport has adopted the globally recognised Airport Council International’s (ACI) Airport Carbon Accreditation framework which helps airports to manage their greenhouse gases effectively. (Representational image/HT Photo)

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Published on Dec 21, 2021 10:59 PM IST

ByJasjeev Gandhiok

Delhi experiences coldest morning of season, mercury dips to 2.9°C

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast that cold wave conditions will continue across Delhi on Tuesday. On Monday, the mercury dipped to 2.9 degrees Celsius at the Jafarpur weather station in south-west Delhi.

People sit around a bonfire in Delhi on Monday when the city experienced the coldest morning of the season so far. At the Jafarpur station, the minimum temperature was recorded at 2.9 degrees Celsius. (Amal KS/HT Photo)

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Updated on Dec 21, 2021 12:30 AM IST

ByJasjeev Gandhiok, New Delhi

Why real-time source apportionment data could help Delhi combat air pollution

In its MoU, which was signed with IIT Delhi, IIT Kanpur, TERI and IISER Delhi, the government specified the need to identify real-time sources of pollution

Experts say once daily reports begin, this could not only indicate how successful corrective measures have been, but also which sectors require the most action in the long-term(Arvind Yadav/HT Photo)

india news

Published on Dec 20, 2021 08:33 PM IST

ByJasjeev Gandhiok

As air quality improves, CAQM lifts construction ban in Delhi-NCR

CAQM said construction and demolition activities in Delhi-NCR can resume immediately since air quality in Delhi has improved from the ‘very poor’ category and has been in the ‘poor’ category consistently for the last three days

The Air Quality Index (AQI) across NCR was hovering between the higher end of the ‘poor’ and the lower end of the ‘very poor’ category on Monday. Delhi’s AQI was recorded as 332 (very poor) at 12 noon, Faridabad, Gurugram, Greater Noida were in the ‘poor’ category with readings below 300. (HT Photo/Sanchit Khanna)

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Updated on Dec 20, 2021 02:17 PM IST

ByJasjeev Gandhiok

Trees and robots in NCRPB plan to combat pollution

The plan suggests creating green corridors, green barriers along highways and a dense biodiversity park network, along with implementing technologies such as smog towers and floating water drones/robots.

The plan by the NCR Planning Board suggests use of green barriers along the highways and implementation of technologies such as smog towers and water drones for clean air and water in the region. (Sanjeev Verma/HT PHOTO)

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Updated on Dec 20, 2021 01:14 AM IST

ByJasjeev Gandhiok, New Delhi

Yellow alert in Capital as mercury dips below 4°C

Day temperatures in Delhi on Monday will likely be around 19 degrees Celsius since wind speeds are falling. Night temperatures in the Capital are expected to hover around 4 degrees, according to the forecast.

Day temperatures in Delhi on Monday will likely be around 19 degrees Celsius since wind speeds are falling. (Raj K Raj / HT Photo)

india news

Updated on Dec 20, 2021 05:22 AM IST

ByJayashree Nandi, Jasjeev Gandhiok, New Delhi

Why states in NCR need as much attention as Delhi to fight pollution

The CAQM for NCR and its adjoining areas have recently looked to address this issue, imposing similar restrictions across NCR as those imposed by the Delhi government

This attention dates back to the 1990s when the air began turning toxic, leaving a visible haze hanging over the city each winter (Sunil Ghosh / Hindustan Times)

india news

Updated on Dec 16, 2021 02:42 PM IST

ByJasjeev Gandhiok

Delhi govt to induct fellows to help forest dept officials

The government said it will induct 28 ‘green fellows’ from December 21 to aid the functioning of its understaffed environment and forest departments

The Delhi government has not carried out a tree census for the last two decades, with many officials attributing it to staff shortage. (Sanjeev Verma/HT PHoto)

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Updated on Dec 16, 2021 06:38 AM IST

ByJasjeev Gandhiok, Hindustan Times, New Delhi

Why Delhi is yet to record a fog episode so far this year

Experts said parts of northern plains experienced two western disturbances (WD) so far, but none of them has added sufficient moisture for the formation of fog. They added that high wind speeds during this period has also ensured poor fog

Commuters on Vande Mataram Marg on Tuesday morning. (Sanchit Khanna/HT Photo)

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Updated on Dec 15, 2021 04:55 AM IST

ByJasjeev Gandhiok, Hindustan Times, New Delhi

Delhi pollution: Delhi govt asks CAQM to reopen schools

Delhi’s environment minister Gopal Rai on Monday said that since pollution levels in the Capital have improved this month, they would recommend to CAQM to reopen schools for students from Class 6 immediately

Smog over the national Capital. The government on Monday said the air pollution levels in Delhi have improved, and that it will ask CAQM to reopen schools in a phased manner. (Sanchit Khanna/HT Photo)

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Updated on Dec 14, 2021 03:13 AM IST

ByJasjeev Gandhiok, Hindustan Times, New Delhi

Delhi govt suggests reopening schools, colleges

Delhi environment minister Gopal Rai said the national capital has been witnessing improvement in air quality

File photo: Delhi environment minister Gopal Rai. (PTI file photo)

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Updated on Dec 13, 2021 06:16 PM IST

ByJasjeev Gandhiok

Tale of wilted fines: Space tough to come by for saplings in Maafi Bagh

Part of the forestation at the Central Ridge cluster known as Maafi Bagh has been undertaken as penance by violators of the law. However, congestion has led to several saplings wilting.

A close look at saplings planted in Maafi Bagh shows that nearly half are in bad shape. (Sanjeev Verma/HT)

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Published on Dec 13, 2021 03:54 AM IST

ByJasjeev Gandhiok, Hindustan Times, New Delhi

As dust settles at Delhi’s Singhu border, protest leaves little behind

During a spot check on Sunday, HT found that the main road is littered with some boulders and debris, with scattered potholes where tents were dug into the ground.

Ghaziabad, India - December 12, 2021: Farmers vacated more than half the protest site on Delhi Meerut Expressway at Ghazipur border in Ghaziabad, India, on Sunday, December 12, 2021. (Photo by Sakib Ali /Hindustan Times)

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Published on Dec 13, 2021 12:11 AM IST

ByJasjeev Gandhiok, Hindustan Times, New Delhi

Border protest sites get busy as farmers prepare to leave city

Farmers said the UP Gate protest site, meanwhile, will be completely cleared by December 15.

Farmers carrying their belongings leave for their native places after the Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) announces the suspension of ongoing protest, at Singhu Border, in New Delhi on Thursday. (ANI)

india news

Published on Dec 11, 2021 04:57 AM IST

ByJasjeev Gandhiok, Peeyush Khandelwal, Hindustan Times, New Delhi

Farmers protest: At Singhu, elation makes way for hectic cleaning

The Samyukt Kisan Morcha in its address on Thursday said farmers will start retreating from Delhi’s border points of Singhu, Tikri and Ghazipur from 9 am on December 11.

New Delhi, India - December 9, 2021: Farmers dismantle their tents after SKM leaders announced to call off the agitation, at Singhu Border, in New Delhi, India, on Thursday, December 09, 2021. (Photo by Sanchit Khanna/ Hindustan Times)

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Published on Dec 10, 2021 12:12 AM IST

ByJasjeev Gandhiok, Hindustan Times, New Delhi

Delhi losing its trees due to lack of census, violation of rules

The trees may not be marked in building plans approved by the corporations -- which means many of them can be cut down, usually without permission.

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Published on Dec 09, 2021 12:08 AM IST

ByJasjeev Gandhiok, Hindustan Times, New Delhi

Aviation minister Scindia issues action plan for airports amid Omicron threat

“Took stock of the preparedness, testing capacities, and the situation on the ground with regard to crowd management at both private and @AAI_Official airports,” Scindia tweeted.

Union civil aviation minister Jyotiraditya Scindia on Tuesday held a high-level meeting to put in place a targeted action plan for airports amid Omicron threat. (PTI file)

india news

Updated on Dec 08, 2021 06:35 AM IST

ByNeha LM Tripathi and Jasjeev Gandhiok

Delhi smog tower cleans air, but test continue on efficacy and range

Now, the Delhi Pollution Control Committee(DPCC ) plans to test its effective range to determine whether the tower is actually improving air quality in the surrounding area.

Experts have long argued that smog towers are not a long-term solution to Delhi’s air pollution problem.(Ajay Aggarwal /HT Photo)

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Updated on Dec 08, 2021 05:55 AM IST

ByJasjeev Gandhiok

Delhi: Striped hyena spotted in Asola Bhatti sanctuary after three years

The striped hyena, which is likely to have come from the Aravalli belt in Haryana, was captured on one of the 22 camera traps inside the sanctuary

The cameras were installed inside the park in March this year as part of the census of all mammals inside the sanctuary. (Sourced)

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Updated on Dec 07, 2021 06:13 AM IST

ByJasjeev Gandhiok

Omicron scare: Sisodia slams Covid tests rush at Delhi airport

Delhi airport officials said it was an old picture, and the situation has improved since 20 new designated counters were set up on Sunday to facilitate faster Covid-19 testing for passengers arriving from “high-risk” countries

Delhi deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia (HT Photo)

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Updated on Dec 06, 2021 06:34 AM IST

ByJasjeev Gandhiok and Paras Singh, Hindustan Times, New Delhi

Price of ‘popular’ rapid PCR test slashed to ₹3,500 at Delhi airport

Genestrings says till 7pm Thursday, over 3,000 tests were conducted, while on Wednesday, the first day of the new guidelines, around 2,100 tests were conducted.

Passengers queue for document verification at Terminal 3 of Delhi’s IGI airport on Thursday. (Sanjeev Verma/HT)

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Published on Dec 03, 2021 12:21 AM IST

ByJasjeev Gandhiok, New Delhi

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Jasjeev Gandhiok

Senior environment department officials involved in framing the policy said the document will be shared with all government departments “within the next fortnight” for suggestions and comments before being tabled in the cabinet meeting.

The city may have got some control over its air in non-winter months, but the annual November-January smog build-up remains a major problem area

Delhi recorded an average Air Quality Index (AQI) of 459 on Sunday, the worst since November 12, when the index had a reading of 471.

With striped hyenas and leopards, the natural park not only has top predators and scavengers, but a variety of herbivores, largely fulfilling a complete foodchain and ecosystem

While Delhi may have shut down its last thermal power plant in Badarpur in 2018, experts say air quality in the National Capital Region cannot improve until coal-based thermal power plants are phased out

Weather and environment experts have said that a mix of factors may have led to the worsening of air quality, including lower-than-expected wind speed and a poor assessment of the impact of lifting restrictions

Officials of DPCC said this training module, which HT has had a look at, will be the guiding tool for all future recruitments for technical positions, with particular focus on air pollution

Many are opposed to multiple feeding spots; some even want them to be fixed outside colony boundaries

Among the NCR states, Delhi is faring best, having resolved nearly 63% (761) of the 1,214 complaints filed during this period.

Delhi airport is followed by the Kuala Lumpur airport (5.83 million tonnes), Tokyo’s Haneda Airport (6.53 million tonnes) and Dallas’s Fort Worth airport (7 million tonnes)

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast that cold wave conditions will continue across Delhi on Tuesday. On Monday, the mercury dipped to 2.9 degrees Celsius at the Jafarpur weather station in south-west Delhi.

In its MoU, which was signed with IIT Delhi, IIT Kanpur, TERI and IISER Delhi, the government specified the need to identify real-time sources of pollution

CAQM said construction and demolition activities in Delhi-NCR can resume immediately since air quality in Delhi has improved from the ‘very poor’ category and has been in the ‘poor’ category consistently for the last three days

The plan suggests creating green corridors, green barriers along highways and a dense biodiversity park network, along with implementing technologies such as smog towers and floating water drones/robots.

Day temperatures in Delhi on Monday will likely be around 19 degrees Celsius since wind speeds are falling. Night temperatures in the Capital are expected to hover around 4 degrees, according to the forecast.

The CAQM for NCR and its adjoining areas have recently looked to address this issue, imposing similar restrictions across NCR as those imposed by the Delhi government

The government said it will induct 28 ‘green fellows’ from December 21 to aid the functioning of its understaffed environment and forest departments

Experts said parts of northern plains experienced two western disturbances (WD) so far, but none of them has added sufficient moisture for the formation of fog. They added that high wind speeds during this period has also ensured poor fog

Delhi’s environment minister Gopal Rai on Monday said that since pollution levels in the Capital have improved this month, they would recommend to CAQM to reopen schools for students from Class 6 immediately

Delhi environment minister Gopal Rai said the national capital has been witnessing improvement in air quality

Part of the forestation at the Central Ridge cluster known as Maafi Bagh has been undertaken as penance by violators of the law. However, congestion has led to several saplings wilting.

During a spot check on Sunday, HT found that the main road is littered with some boulders and debris, with scattered potholes where tents were dug into the ground.

Farmers said the UP Gate protest site, meanwhile, will be completely cleared by December 15.

The Samyukt Kisan Morcha in its address on Thursday said farmers will start retreating from Delhi’s border points of Singhu, Tikri and Ghazipur from 9 am on December 11.

The trees may not be marked in building plans approved by the corporations -- which means many of them can be cut down, usually without permission.

“Took stock of the preparedness, testing capacities, and the situation on the ground with regard to crowd management at both private and @AAI_Official airports,” Scindia tweeted.

Now, the Delhi Pollution Control Committee(DPCC ) plans to test its effective range to determine whether the tower is actually improving air quality in the surrounding area.

The striped hyena, which is likely to have come from the Aravalli belt in Haryana, was captured on one of the 22 camera traps inside the sanctuary

Delhi airport officials said it was an old picture, and the situation has improved since 20 new designated counters were set up on Sunday to facilitate faster Covid-19 testing for passengers arriving from “high-risk” countries

Genestrings says till 7pm Thursday, over 3,000 tests were conducted, while on Wednesday, the first day of the new guidelines, around 2,100 tests were conducted.

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