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Rajanbir Singh

Articles by Rajanbir Singh

Chandigarh’s AQI soars to scary high of 460

Reading at Sector 22 monitoring station highest in six years; daily mean AQI of 412 second only to Delhi’s 424 in country

Chandigarh

Updated on Nov 15, 2024 10:14 AM IST

ByRajanbir Singh, Chandigarh

Chandigarh continues to choke as air quality plummets to ‘severe’

Chandigarh was the fifth most polluted city in the country as per the bulletin, with an average AQI of 372 at 4 pm; Delhi at 418, Hajipur (Bihar) at 417, Saharsa (Bihar) at 379, and Bhiwani (Haryana) at 375 were more polluted than Chandigarh

Chandigarh

Updated on Nov 14, 2024 06:30 AM IST

ByRajanbir Singh, Chandigarh

Chandigarh: Seeking senate polls, protesting students clash with cops at Panjab University

Mild force used as students wanted to disrupt ‘Punjab Vision: 2047’ event, says UT senior superintendent of police Kanwardeep Kaur. A student leader claims the protesters were not aware of the presence of the chief minister at law auditorium.

Policemen stopping students from heading towards the law auditorium at Panjab University on Wednesday. (HT photo)

Chandigarh

Updated on Nov 14, 2024 07:34 AM IST

ByRajanbir Singh, Chandigarh

Chandigarh chokes on smog as AQI worsens at 382

The joint capital of Punjab and Haryana has been witnessing very poor AQI for a week now due to rampant paddy stubble burning in both the states. High humidity, low temperature aggravating air pollution.

Chandigarh

Updated on Nov 13, 2024 12:50 PM IST

ByRajanbir Singh

Chandigarh turns into gas chamber; at 343, AQI 2nd worst in country

At 7pm, the AQI was 355 at the Continuous Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Station (CAAQMS) Sector 22, 326 at CAAQMS Sector 25 and 360 at Sector 53, all in the ‘very poor’ category.

Chandigarh

Updated on Nov 13, 2024 08:52 AM IST

ByRajanbir Singh, Chandigarh

Winter onset delayed in Chandigarh, says IMD

Speaking about Chandigarh, director general of meteorology Mrutyunjay Mohapatra said currently there was a low pressure area and a weak Western Disturbance (WD) that were leading to high humidity and above normal minimum temperature

While nights continue to remain warm, the day temperature is continuing to drop, going down from 29.6°C on Sunday to 28.3°C on Monday, normal for this time of the year. This can also be attributed to the smog visible in Chandigarh during the day and due to cloudy weather following the effect of WD. (Ravi Kumar/HT)

Chandigarh

Updated on Nov 12, 2024 08:58 AM IST

ByRajanbir Singh, Chandigarh

Climate change weakening western disturbances: IMD DG

Western disturbances are the major source of rain in Punjab, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh.

Mrutyunjay Mohapatra, director general, meteorology, India Meteorological Department, at an event in Panjab University on Monday.

Chandigarh

Updated on Nov 12, 2024 05:00 AM IST

ByRajanbir Singh, Chandigarh

In no let-up, Chandigarh air now worse than Delhi

While remaining in the very poor category for the fifth straight day, Chandigarh’s Air Quality Index surges to 339, soaring past national capital Delhi’s value of 334

Chandigarh

Updated on Nov 11, 2024 09:10 AM IST

ByRajanbir Singh, Chandigarh

Stir over delayed Panjab University senate polls reveals divide among protesters

While the protest outside the Vice-Chancellor’s office has been going on for 19 days, as Chandigarh MP Manish Tewari visited the site on Friday, an interaction with students and senators highlighted differing opinions on the changes needed

Chandigarh

Updated on Nov 09, 2024 09:44 AM IST

ByRajanbir Singh, Chandigarh

Chandigarh: Air quality continues to worsen for third straight day

As per the AQI bulletin released by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the average AQI value at 4 pm, taking the average of all three stations in Chandigarh, was 310, falling in the very poor category

Due to the falling temperature and relatively high humidity, shallow fog is likely in the city during the early morning hours, which can further affect the air quality. (Ravi Kumar/HT)

Chandigarh

Updated on Nov 09, 2024 09:20 AM IST

ByRajanbir Singh, Chandigarh

Chandigarh: Air quality slides to very poor again

IMD attributes drop in air quality to declining day temperature, which was recorded at 29.8°C on Thursday, the lowest in recent days

Chandigarh

Updated on Nov 08, 2024 12:58 PM IST

ByRajanbir Singh, Chandigarh

Chandigarh’s PU senate polls delayed: Political chorus over plans to abolish body grows

While Panjab University, Chandigarh, prepares the schedule for the senate elections, it goes to the chancellor’s office to get final approval; however, vice-chancellor Renu Vig confirmed that the university had not received the approval yet

Senior Opposition leaders holding a protest against Centre and Punjab government outside the vice-chancellor’s office on the PU campus in Chandigarh on Thursday. (Keshav Singh/HT)

Chandigarh

Published on Nov 08, 2024 12:50 PM IST

ByRajanbir Singh, Chandigarh

Political backing grows for Panjab University senate election protest

After AAP’s Anandpur Sahib MP Malvinder Singh Kang visited the university on Monday, former Dhuri MLA Dalvir Singh Goldy, who recently quit the Aam Aadmi Party, also met with the protesting students outside the vice-chancellor’s office on Wednesday morning

Former Dhuri MLA Dalvir Singh Goldy (in blue shirt) with the protesting students outside the vice-chancellor’s office on Panjab University campus on Wednesday morning. (Ravi Kumar/HT)

Chandigarh

Updated on Nov 07, 2024 10:02 AM IST

ByRajanbir Singh, Chandigarh

PU senate poll delay: MP Malvinder Singh Kang protests outside V-C’s office

PU officials have maintained that the delay has happened at the chancellor’s end, and the varsity has prepared an election schedule and sent it for the chancellor’s office for approval four times

The Punjab government also hasn’t fully endorsed the protest and Kang was the first major leader to actually turn up at the protest site. (HT File Photo)

Chandigarh

Updated on Nov 05, 2024 09:34 AM IST

ByRajanbir Singh, Chandigarh

November off to a hot start: First three days warmest in over 12 years

The first three days of the month logged maximum temperatures of 32.6°C, 32.9°C and 32.8°C, respectively, all highest since November 2012

Visitors enjoying boat rides at Sukhna Lake on a sunny afternoon. (Sanjeev Sharma/HT)

Chandigarh

Updated on Nov 04, 2024 08:02 AM IST

ByRajanbir Singh, Chandigarh

No respite for Chandigarh as AQI remains ‘very poor’ for second day

However, there was a slight improvement in air quality during the day and is expected to get better in the coming days due to the prevailing weather conditions

With residents continuing to burst crackers a day after Diwali, AQI remained in the very poor bracket till Saturday morning. (Keshav Singh/HT)

Chandigarh

Updated on Nov 03, 2024 07:34 AM IST

ByRajanbir Singh, Chandigarh

Chandigarh: After no rain in October, November also likely to remain dry

By combining values for both the IMD Sector 39 observatory and the airport station, 18.1 mm rain was expected in October; however, the rain meter at both stations did not rise beyond 0 mm; this had last happened in 2020

Because of the dry weather, the average temperature in October also remained high. At 33.7°C, the average maximum temperature was highest since 2011 for which data was available. (Sanjeev Sharma/HT)

Chandigarh

Updated on Nov 03, 2024 07:18 AM IST

ByRajanbir Singh, Chandigarh

Panjab University V-C to take up delay in senate polls with V-P

Says Punjab University has sent senate elections schedule to the chancellor’s office multiple times but has not yet received the final approval; Senate is the apex body of the university and has the entire management of, and superintendence over the affairs, concerns and property of the university

Senators have been protesting for the past couple of weeks regarding holding the senate elections. (HT File photo)

Chandigarh

Updated on Nov 02, 2024 08:44 AM IST

ByRajanbir Singh, Chandigarh

Diwali ‘burst’ ignites air quality crisis in Chandigarh

Though the city’s AQI did not plunge into the severe category (401-500) as seen on Diwali last year, the levels remained dangerously high, with AQI reaching a staggering 395 at the Continuous Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Station in Sector 22.

An AQI of 301-400 poses serious health risks, causing respiratory illnesses with prolonged exposure. (Sant Arora /HT)

Chandigarh

Updated on Nov 02, 2024 08:32 AM IST

ByRajanbir Singh, Chandigarh

Last-minute Diwali shopping surge leaves Chandigarh roads choked

Roads around popular markets and Nexus Elante mall remained chock-a-block with vehicles, while the routes connecting Chandigarh with adjoining cities like Mohali, Panchkula and Zirakpur also saw traffic moving at a snail’s pace

As residents stepped out to wrap up Diwali shopping and admire the festive decorations, roads remained chock-a-block with traffic through the evening. (Keshav Singh/HT)

Chandigarh

Updated on Oct 31, 2024 08:32 AM IST

ByRajanbir Singh, Chandigarh

Chandigarh: Two arrested for duping retired Major General of ₹83 lakh through ‘digital arrest’ scam

A resident of Sector 20, Panchkula, Puri had informed police that the callers had connected him to cops at Delhi Police’s cyber cell and even an official from the Central Bureau of Investigation

Posing as cops, the fraudsters told the retired army officer that he was under “digital arrest” for two days and would need to deposit <span class='webrupee'>₹</span>83 lakh, which will be returned if found not to be stolen. (iStock)

Chandigarh

Updated on Oct 30, 2024 11:12 AM IST

ByRajanbir Singh, Panchkula

Chandigarh: At 270, AQI shoots up to season’s worst

The air quality was worst at the Continuous Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Station (CAAQMS) in Sector 53, Chandigarh, which borders Mohali, touching 270 at 2 pm on Monday

Chandigarh

Updated on Oct 29, 2024 09:26 AM IST

ByRajanbir Singh, Chandigarh

Cyclone Dana responsible for above normal temp in Chandigarh; expect colder days ahead: IMD

IMD Chandigarh director Surender Paul said, “While the cyclone was too far to bring us any rain, it had changed the dominant wind system for the region. While colder northerly winds usually blow this season, it was replaced by warmer winds from the Bay of Bengal.”

While the Air Quality Index had started falling last week, the changed wind system kept the air quality from turning poor again as per Paul. AQI had remained below 200 ever since the cyclone made landfall. (Getty image)

Chandigarh

Updated on Oct 28, 2024 05:08 AM IST

ByRajanbir Singh, Chandigarh

Chandigarh: Traffic woes echo in PUTA meet

National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC), during their field visit to PU, Chandigarh, last year, had flagged the traffic congestion issue and recommended that PU should resolve it

Chandigarh

Updated on Oct 26, 2024 09:54 AM IST

ByRajanbir Singh, Chandigarh

Chandigarh: Punjab edu minister writes to Dhankhar over PU senate elections

After Bains received representation from the protesting senators, He said it has come to his notice that the term of the senate is expiring on October 31, while notification of the elections has not been done

Senators and students during a protest outside the admin block in PU on Thursday. (HT Photo)

Chandigarh

Updated on Oct 25, 2024 07:24 AM IST

ByRajanbir Singh, Chandigarh

Chandigarh’s AQI crosses 250 ahead of Diwali, brace for the worst

As per Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), AQI is defined as an overall scheme that transforms weighted values of individual air pollution-related parameters like SO2, CO and visibility into a single number or set of numbers.

The Air Quality Index (AQI) of the city is continuing to worsen, with AQI crossing 250 for the first time this season on Wednesday morning at the Sector 53 Continuous Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Station (CAAQMS). (HT File)

Chandigarh

Updated on Oct 24, 2024 09:46 AM IST

ByRajanbir Singh, Chandigarh

Miffed over delayed polls, PU senators to hold protests

A senator confirmed that usually notice for the next meeting is given two days in advance, but till now not even the agenda has been released and it seems unlikely that the varsity will hold the meeting this month

V-C Renu Vig confirmed that the date of the next senate meeting is yet to be decided. However, she said that the senate session can also be called at short notice, and they are trying to hold the next meeting within this month. (HT File photo)

Chandigarh

Published on Oct 21, 2024 10:00 PM IST

ByRajanbir Singh, Chandigarh

Chandigarh’s air quality slides to poor

Though it had come close to 200 on multiple days in the past week, AQI shot past the 200 mark for the first time at 1 am on Sunday, entering the poor bracket

Air Quality Index (AQI) between 201-300 is considered poor, which causes breathing discomfort to most people on prolonged exposure. (HT File Photo)

Chandigarh

Updated on Oct 21, 2024 08:08 AM IST

ByRajanbir Singh, Chandigarh

Chandigarh: Women shine bright at PEC convocation

As many as 496 BTech degrees were awarded to students of various branches of engineering; apart from this, 63 PG students walked away with MTech degrees and 14 scholars were bestowed PhD degrees at PEC Chandigarh

Chandigarh

Updated on Oct 20, 2024 05:52 AM IST

ByRajanbir Singh, Chandigarh

Farmers’ protest: Traffic mayhem in Chandigarh, Mohali as police block key routes

UT-Mohali borders near Phases 2, 6 and 9 closed for traffic as farmers try to enter Chandigarh to protest outside Punjab CM’s house, leading to widespread chaos

Commuters stuck in a gridlock near Phase 2 in Mohali on Friday. (Sanjeev Sharma/HT)

Chandigarh

Updated on Oct 19, 2024 09:38 AM IST

ByAneesha Sareen Kumar, Rajanbir Singh, Chandigarh

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Rajanbir Singh

Reading at Sector 22 monitoring station highest in six years; daily mean AQI of 412 second only to Delhi’s 424 in country

Chandigarh was the fifth most polluted city in the country as per the bulletin, with an average AQI of 372 at 4 pm; Delhi at 418, Hajipur (Bihar) at 417, Saharsa (Bihar) at 379, and Bhiwani (Haryana) at 375 were more polluted than Chandigarh

Mild force used as students wanted to disrupt ‘Punjab Vision: 2047’ event, says UT senior superintendent of police Kanwardeep Kaur. A student leader claims the protesters were not aware of the presence of the chief minister at law auditorium.

The joint capital of Punjab and Haryana has been witnessing very poor AQI for a week now due to rampant paddy stubble burning in both the states. High humidity, low temperature aggravating air pollution.

At 7pm, the AQI was 355 at the Continuous Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Station (CAAQMS) Sector 22, 326 at CAAQMS Sector 25 and 360 at Sector 53, all in the ‘very poor’ category.

Speaking about Chandigarh, director general of meteorology Mrutyunjay Mohapatra said currently there was a low pressure area and a weak Western Disturbance (WD) that were leading to high humidity and above normal minimum temperature

Western disturbances are the major source of rain in Punjab, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh.

While remaining in the very poor category for the fifth straight day, Chandigarh’s Air Quality Index surges to 339, soaring past national capital Delhi’s value of 334

While the protest outside the Vice-Chancellor’s office has been going on for 19 days, as Chandigarh MP Manish Tewari visited the site on Friday, an interaction with students and senators highlighted differing opinions on the changes needed

As per the AQI bulletin released by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the average AQI value at 4 pm, taking the average of all three stations in Chandigarh, was 310, falling in the very poor category

IMD attributes drop in air quality to declining day temperature, which was recorded at 29.8°C on Thursday, the lowest in recent days

While Panjab University, Chandigarh, prepares the schedule for the senate elections, it goes to the chancellor’s office to get final approval; however, vice-chancellor Renu Vig confirmed that the university had not received the approval yet

After AAP’s Anandpur Sahib MP Malvinder Singh Kang visited the university on Monday, former Dhuri MLA Dalvir Singh Goldy, who recently quit the Aam Aadmi Party, also met with the protesting students outside the vice-chancellor’s office on Wednesday morning

PU officials have maintained that the delay has happened at the chancellor’s end, and the varsity has prepared an election schedule and sent it for the chancellor’s office for approval four times

The first three days of the month logged maximum temperatures of 32.6°C, 32.9°C and 32.8°C, respectively, all highest since November 2012

However, there was a slight improvement in air quality during the day and is expected to get better in the coming days due to the prevailing weather conditions

By combining values for both the IMD Sector 39 observatory and the airport station, 18.1 mm rain was expected in October; however, the rain meter at both stations did not rise beyond 0 mm; this had last happened in 2020

Though the city’s AQI did not plunge into the severe category (401-500) as seen on Diwali last year, the levels remained dangerously high, with AQI reaching a staggering 395 at the Continuous Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Station in Sector 22.

Roads around popular markets and Nexus Elante mall remained chock-a-block with vehicles, while the routes connecting Chandigarh with adjoining cities like Mohali, Panchkula and Zirakpur also saw traffic moving at a snail’s pace

A resident of Sector 20, Panchkula, Puri had informed police that the callers had connected him to cops at Delhi Police’s cyber cell and even an official from the Central Bureau of Investigation

The air quality was worst at the Continuous Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Station (CAAQMS) in Sector 53, Chandigarh, which borders Mohali, touching 270 at 2 pm on Monday

IMD Chandigarh director Surender Paul said, “While the cyclone was too far to bring us any rain, it had changed the dominant wind system for the region. While colder northerly winds usually blow this season, it was replaced by warmer winds from the Bay of Bengal.”

National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC), during their field visit to PU, Chandigarh, last year, had flagged the traffic congestion issue and recommended that PU should resolve it

After Bains received representation from the protesting senators, He said it has come to his notice that the term of the senate is expiring on October 31, while notification of the elections has not been done

As per Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), AQI is defined as an overall scheme that transforms weighted values of individual air pollution-related parameters like SO2, CO and visibility into a single number or set of numbers.

A senator confirmed that usually notice for the next meeting is given two days in advance, but till now not even the agenda has been released and it seems unlikely that the varsity will hold the meeting this month

Though it had come close to 200 on multiple days in the past week, AQI shot past the 200 mark for the first time at 1 am on Sunday, entering the poor bracket

As many as 496 BTech degrees were awarded to students of various branches of engineering; apart from this, 63 PG students walked away with MTech degrees and 14 scholars were bestowed PhD degrees at PEC Chandigarh

UT-Mohali borders near Phases 2, 6 and 9 closed for traffic as farmers try to enter Chandigarh to protest outside Punjab CM’s house, leading to widespread chaos

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