Delhi Pollution

India Today’s 5ive Live special edition highlights urgent public health and economic concerns in India, drawing from the latest Mood of the Nation survey and the Economic Survey 2025-26. The findings show that 80% of citizens want the government to prioritise tackling air pollution, with 40.4% blaming vehicular emissions as the biggest contributor.

On this Special Report, anchor Preeti Choudhry discusses the celebrations of India's 77th Republic Day. The programme highlights the central theme of 'Vande Mataram' and the significant military influence of 'Operation Sindoor' on this year's parade. Preeti Choudhry notes, 'It's just eight months after Operation Sindoor,' describing it as a defining 21st-century military action that marked a strategic shift in India's policy against Pakistan-sponsored terrorism. The bulletin details the upcoming aerial fly-past featuring Sukhoi-30s and Rafales in a special formation. Reporters Ashraf Wani from Lal Chowk, Srinagar, and Aman Bhardwaj from Chandigarh provide ground updates on local celebrations and security. The discussion covers the abrogation of Article 370's impact on Kashmir's celebrations and Chandigarh's first-ever tableau representation in the national parade, featuring its war memorial. The report captures the national sentiment of pride and the display of sophisticated weaponry used in recent operations.

The top focus of this episode of 5 Live is on the tragic death of 27-year-old techie Yuvraj Mehta, who drowned after his car plunged into an open, water-filled pit in Noida's Sector 150 on the night of January 16.

In this Special Report, Sonal Mehrotra Kapoor examines the tragic death of 27-year-old techie Yuvraj, who drowned after his car plunged into an open, water-filled pit in Noida's Sector 115. Kapoor highlights the systemic failure, stating, 'Time to hold the system accountable,' as India Today accesses exclusive details from the Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe. The report reveals that five departments of the Noida Authority are under the scanner, with officials from the SDRF, fire department, and police being questioned regarding response times and lack of precautions. The program also features insights from Arvind Ojha on the SIT's progress and Piyush Mishra's interaction with anguished locals who describe the pit as a hazardous sewage dump. Additionally, the broadcast addresses how severe air pollution is threatening India's global sporting ambitions and provides a winter update on heavy snowfall across Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand ahead of the Republic Day long weekend.

In this special report, Sonal Mehrotra Kapoor examines the escalating pollution crisis in North India and its detrimental impact on the nation's sporting aspirations. Kapoor highlights that the 'air emergency choking North India and several other parts of the country isn't just a health hazard anymore, it's a national liability.' The programme discusses how toxic air quality is jeopardising India's bid for the 2036 Olympics, with Ahmedabad as the frontrunner. Joined by colleague Nikhil Naz, the discussion covers instances where international athletes, including badminton star Anders Antonsen, have raised alarms or refused to play in Delhi. The report further details how pollution affects athlete training, lung capacity, and the overall feasibility of hosting global events like the Commonwealth Games and the ODI World Cup. Kapoor concludes that the environmental crisis is not only an economic burden but a significant hurdle to India's dream of becoming a global sporting powerhouse.

The top focus of this episode of 5 Live is on economist Gita Gopinath's warning on air pollution in India.

On this news bulletin, environmentalist Vimlendu Jha discusses the severe economic and health impacts of air pollution in India, following remarks by IMF's Geeta Gopinath at the World Economic Forum. Jha emphasises that 'the cost of inaction, actually, cost of inaction actually is higher than cost of action,' pointing to a World Bank report suggesting a 9% GDP loss, amounting to approximately 30 lakh crore rupees. He criticises the current budget for air purification as grossly inadequate, noting that while the economic loss is massive, the budget for Delhi is a mere 30 crore rupees. Jha highlights the human toll, citing Lancet data on mortality, and calls for the Union Government to prioritise air quality in the upcoming budget. He argues that pollution is not just a health or environmental issue but a significant economic burden affecting agriculture, transport, and corporate affairs, requiring urgent political will and sustained action rather than reactive measures like the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP).

On this news bulletin, former Lieutenant Governor Dr. Kiran Bedi discusses the escalating air pollution crisis in India and its severe impact on the economy and public health. Highlighting the decline in tourism and hospitality due to poor air quality, she emphasizes that 'India needs a very coordinated governance' rather than working in silos. Dr. Bedi suggests adopting a model similar to the Prime Minister’s 'Pragati' scheme for infrastructure to ensure multiple departments work together on a weekly basis. She notes that while the Supreme Court and the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) have provided a 'to-do list' for various departments, the primary challenge remains implementation. The discussion covers the 'double whammy' of GRAP-4 restrictions on low-income workers and the necessity of high-level leadership to oversee the electrification of transport and enforcement of construction norms to ensure clean air for all citizens.

This India Today Special Report, led by Sonal Mehrotra Kapoor, investigates the death of 27-year-old Yuvraj Mehta in Noida’s Sector 150. Mehta drowned after his vehicle plunged into a 30-foot water-filled ditch at a stalled construction site managed by MZ Wishtown. The investigation details a six-hour rescue delay and a lack of essential equipment despite the victim’s emergency calls. The site lacked barricades, reflectors, and streetlights, leading to the arrest of builder Abhay Kumar and the removal of the Noida Authority CEO following Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath's intervention. The report examines systemic failures and the Allahabad High Court’s observations on corruption within the Sports City project. Additionally, the broadcast covers global updates from Davos, including Indian CEOs meeting US President Donald Trump and European Union discussions regarding a Free Trade Agreement with India. Finally, the report notes the revocation of GRAP Stage IV measures in Delhi-NCR as regional air quality levels showed marginal improvement.

On this news bulletin, the focus is on the improving air quality in the National Capital Region. India Today correspondent Sushant Mehra reports that the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has revoked Stage 4 of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) across Delhi-NCR. Sushant Mehra notes that 'the air quality index in Delhi right now is around 375, in the very poor category', leading to the decision to ease the strictest curbs. While Stage 4 measures, which were imposed when the AQI breached the 400 mark, have been removed, restrictions under Stages 1, 2, and 3 will remain in force to manage pollution levels. The report highlights that the slight improvement in air quality is attributed to better weather conditions, including sunlight and wind movement, providing much-needed relief to the residents of the national capital.

In this special report, India Today's Aneesha Mathur details the Supreme Court's latest hearing on Delhi's persistent air pollution crisis. The court is now considering a novel suggestion to ease traffic congestion, a major pollution contributor, by relocating or temporarily closing nine MCD toll plazas on the city's borders. Anisha Mathur reports the court directly questioned the authorities, asking: 'Why is it that you are running manned toll booths instead of using technology?' The court has directed the NHAI and MCD to explore shifting these plazas or adopting technology like RFID tags for faster movement. The report also touches upon the debate over school closures, with parents' bodies arguing that it unfairly affects children from lower-income families who rely on midday meals and find schools to be a healthier environment than their homes.

On this Special Report, host Sonal Mehrotra Kapoor examines the death of Yuvraj, a software professional who drowned after his vehicle plunged into an unmarked construction pit in Noida Sector 150. The investigation highlights a 90-minute rescue delay and questions the Noida Authority regarding the absence of barricades despite an 8,732 crore budget. Former Urban Development Secretary Sudhir Krishna discusses the lack of SDRF preparedness. The program also covers the CBI questioning of TVK chief Vijay concerning the Karur stampede, focusing on event delays and organizational violations. Vijay denies legal breaches, attributing the incident to police lapses. Further reports address India's pollution crisis as Danish shuttler Mia Blichfeldt withdraws from the India Open due to Delhi's air quality. The broadcast concludes with the Indian cricket team's ODI series loss to New Zealand and a health emergency in Madhya Pradesh, where contaminated water is linked to a Guillain-Barre Syndrome outbreak, prompting a World Health Organization probe into local public health failures.

On this Special Report, Sonal Mehrotra Kapoor and Nikhil Naz discuss the alarming impact of air pollution on India's status as a global sporting hub. The discussion follows reports of Danish shuttler Mia Blichfeldt withdrawing from the India Open and paying a heavy fine to avoid Delhi's toxic air. Indian chess grandmaster Vidit Gujrathi is also quoted, stating that 'People are slowly being poisoned in Delhi and nobody seems to care.' The programme highlights how environmental conditions and poor hygiene at venues are deterring international athletes and affecting the training of budding domestic sportspersons. Nikhil Naz points out that while international players voice concerns, Indian athletes often remain silent due to fear of social media trolling or administrative backlash. The report raises critical questions about India's preparedness for major upcoming events like the World Championships and the Olympics.

On this India Today special report, reporter Anmol Bali provides a ground update on the 'triple trouble' currently affecting the National Capital Region. Delhi and its adjoining areas of Noida, Gurugram, and Ghaziabad are grappling with a combination of extremely dense fog, a biting cold wave, and hazardous pollution levels. Anmol Bali notes that 'today in the morning, visibility over the Safdarjung was recorded around zero,' significantly impacting commuters. The Air Quality Index (AQI) has breached the 400 mark, slipping into the severe category and prompting the Commission for Air Quality Management to reimpose Stage 4 of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP). These restrictions include a ban on non-essential diesel trucks and all construction activities. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued orange and red alerts for various parts of the capital as temperatures dip to a minimum of 6 degrees Celsius. The programme explores the logistical challenges and health risks posed by this deteriorating weather and environmental situation.

The National Capital has once again turned into a 'gas chamber' as air quality plummeted into the severe category, with the AQI breaching the 400 mark. In response to the spiralling pollution levels, the Commission for Air Quality Management has re-imposed Stage 4 of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) across the National Capital Region. This move triggers the toughest anti-pollution curbs, including a complete halt on all construction and demolition activities. Under these restrictions, vehicles below BS 6 emission norms are barred from entering Delhi, and there is a total ban on diesel trucks, except those carrying essential goods. The report highlights that only BS 6 compliant vehicles are permitted entry as authorities scramble to control the deteriorating environmental conditions. The re-imposition of these stringent measures reflects the critical nature of the pollution crisis currently affecting Delhi and its surrounding areas.

On this news report, the focus is on the deteriorating air quality in the Delhi-NCR region, which has led to the reimposition of Stage 4 of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP). The air quality index (AQI) in the national capital has surged past the 400 mark, entering the 'severe' category, with PM 2.5 levels reaching 428 and exceeding 450 in several areas. The unidentified speaker notes that 'Curbs will include a complete ban on construction and demolition activities' and a ban on the entry of non-BS6 diesel trucks. The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has also ordered all schools to shift to hybrid mode to protect students. These emergency measures will remain in place until pollution levels subside to Stage 2 or 3. The sudden spike in pollution is attributed to recent changes in weather conditions across the region.

On this Special Report, Shreya Chatterjee highlights the severe weather and pollution crisis currently gripping the National Capital Region. Delhi NCR is facing a 'triple attack' of dense fog, a biting cold wave, and deteriorating air quality, which has prompted the Commission for Air Quality Management to reimpose Stage 3 restrictions under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP). Shreya Chatterjee notes that 'the air quality has also come down to deteriorate again to severe category' following a brief period of relief. The programme features ground updates from correspondent Anmol Bali at Anand Vihar, where visibility remains significantly impacted. With minimum temperatures dropping to around 6 degrees Celsius, the city continues to face harsh winter conditions that have disrupted daily life and traffic. The report explores the impact of these conditions and the enforcement of GRAP 3 measures to curb rising pollution levels across the capital.

This news bulletin provides a critical weather and pollution update for the Delhi NCR region. The National Capital is currently shrouded in a thick blanket of fog, which has significantly impacted travel, leading to the cancellation and delay of several flights and trains. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a yellow alert as visibility remains poor in the early hours. The speaker notes that 'until the wind speed picks up the fog Situation might not improve.' In addition to the weather challenges, air quality has deteriorated further, prompting the reimposition of GRAP 3 measures. Residents are advised to monitor travel schedules closely as temperatures remain low and the air quality index continues to decline after a brief period of relief. The report emphasizes the dual challenge of dense fog and soaring pollution levels affecting the region.

This news bulletin covers the Health Ministry's decision to lower the NEET PG 2025 qualifying percentile for reserved categories to zero, a move intended to fill over 18,000 vacant postgraduate medical seats. The program examines the resulting debate over academic standards versus seat-filling in Indian medical education. The bulletin also highlights a public health development where the Delhi Jal Board has started replacing old pipelines in Kunwar Singh Colony after an India Today investigation into toxic water. This is part of a broader effort to replace aging water infrastructure in the city. Further national news includes the political row over a water tragedy in Indore, where contaminated water has reportedly caused multiple deaths. Additionally, the bulletin notes the withdrawal of Danish shuttler Anders Antonsen from the India Open, who cited Delhi's hazardous air quality. On the international front, the program reports on renewed claims by US President Donald Trump regarding Greenland, which he states is a matter of national security to preempt Russian or Chinese influence.

The National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS) has revised the qualifying percentiles for NEET-PG 2025 admissions, reducing it to zero percentile for reserved categories, and for the general category, it has been reduced to seven percentile from 50.