Bhiwadi in Rajasthan was the most polluted city in India and second-most polluted in central and south Asia region. Delhi was not far behind, followed by Darbhanga and Asopur.
Varanasi achieved largest reduction in pollutant levels, but none of the cities was able to meet the goals fixed in 2019, when National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) was set up.
The Commission for Air Quality Management lifted the restrictions with immediate effect after considering the improvement in air quality in the region and meteorological forecast.
Centre told the SC Monday that certain shortcomings were found in the implementation of directives issued by a commission set up to control rising air pollution levels in Delhi.
To combat pollution, the Delhi govt Wednesday issued 10 directions, including a ban on entry of trucks carrying non-essential items in the city and closure of schools and colleges.
Due to bursting of crackers on Diwali, Delhi recorded its poorest air quality in five years. The winds are expected to flush out pollutants further over the next two days, experts said.
As Narendra Modi becomes India’s second-longest consecutively serving Prime Minister, we look at how he compares with Indira Gandhi across four key dimensions.
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