NEW DELHI: Beijing's air pollution made international news over the weekend when fine particulate matter (PM2.5) in the city air rose to an 'out-of-index' level of 755 mg/cu m. Pictures showed Beijing residents wearing masks amid advisories that they should stay indoors. Meanwhile, it was business as usual in Delhi on Monday when despite a clear windy day, the PM2.5 levels ranged from 130 to 565 mg/cu m.

According to World Health Organization, the safe level of PM2.5 is 20 mg/cu m. The Indian standard for this pollutant — that can cause respiratory illnesses and worsen heart ailments — is 60 mg/cu m.

In November 2012, when the city was in the throes of its worst smog spell in recent years, PM2.5 levels were consistently over 500 mg/cu m over several places.

“Beijing undertook several measures to control its air pollution levels during the Beijing Olympics in 2008 but the city is still prone to smog. More recently, it has decided to implement a lottery system for private cars which it hopes will keep a check on the rising number of vehicles,” said Anumita Roychowdhury, associate director at the Centre for Science and Environment.

‘Need To Regulate Use Of Multi-Tone Horns That Pose A Health Hazard’

Mumbai: Sirens and multitone horns in vehicles that flout the prescribed decibel levels are a serious hazard to citizens, said the national green tribunal in its judgment. The tribunal has directed the police not to allow private vehicles to use such devices in residential areas, silence zones and in the vicinity of educational institutes, hospitals and sensitive areas. It also wants the police not to allow such vehicles during nighttime, except for emergencies.

Fond of making an impression with that extra loud horn in your car? The next time you go for 'pollution under check' (PUC) certification, it is likely you won't get it if your car is found to be too noisy.

Following a PIL, National Green Tribunal has passed an order to curb noise pollution in Delhi, outlining actions that include making noise pollution a compoundable offence.

standing committee chairman rajesh gehlot said the hike was to encourage more people to use public transport

Reneging on the promise made in its election manifesto — that it would not it would not impose additional burden on the city residents by hiking taxes — the BJP has cleared the budget of the South municipal corporation, which has proposed a steep hike in parking rates in South Delhi. Earlier, the parking fee was Rs 10 for 10 hours for cars, which has now been hiked to Rs 20 for the first three hours and Rs 10 for each subsequent hour for A and B category of four-wheel vehicles. For two-wheelers, the rate will be Rs 10 for the first three hours and