Delhi transport sector could trigger significant health risk

06 Oct 2023 CW Team

A recent study has brought to light alarming levels of nanoparticles in the urban air of the national capital, Delhi, particularly in roadside environments, with a direct connection to vehicle engine exhaust. This concerning discovery has raised significant public health concerns in the region.

Nanoparticles are incredibly tiny particles, often ranging from 10 to 1000 nanometers (nm) in diameter, rendering them invisible to the naked eye. Their minute size poses a heightened risk to human health compared to larger particulate matter such as PM 2.5 or PM 10. These nanoparticles, being a mere 600 times smaller than a human hair, have the capacity to deeply penetrate into the lungs, bloodstream, and even the brain.

The study, published in the journal Urban Climate, was conducted along Bawana Road in northwest Delhi, a crucial roadway connecting Delhi to Rohtak in Haryana. The findings underscore the pressing need for comprehensive measures to address air quality issues in urban areas, particularly those associated with vehicular emissions, in order to safeguard public health and well-being.

Infrastructure Urban

13 Mar 2026

Implementation Status of Jal Jeevan Mission

Since August 2019 the Government has implemented Jal Jeevan Mission to provide assured potable water through household tap connections in rural India. At the start of the mission only 32.3 million (mn) rural households, representing 16.7 per cent, were reported to have tap water connections. States and union territories have reported that 125.8 mn additional rural households have since been provided with tap connections. As a result, of about 193.6 mn rural households roughly 158.2 mn, or 81.71 per cent, are reported to have tap water supply at home.\n\nThe State, district and village level st..

Jal Jeevan Mission Reaches Eighty One Per Cent Rural Coverage

The Government reported substantial progress under the Jal Jeevan Mission, launched in August 2019 to provide tap water to every rural household. At launch only 32.3 million (mn) rural households had tap connections and states and Union territories reported provision of 125.8 mn additional households by March 2026. Consequently, out of about 193.6 mn rural households around 158.2 mn, or 81.71 per cent, are reported to have tap water at home. The Finance Minister announced extension of the mission until 2028 in the 2025-26 budget speech. The Swachh Bharat Mission Grameen, launched in October 20..

Empowering Local Governance for Sustainable Rural Water Supply

The Ministry of Jal Shakti has aligned the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) with the 73rd Amendment to strengthen village level planning and community ownership of water supply. Gram Panchayats, village water and sanitation committees and Pani Samitis are to plan, implement, manage and maintain piped water systems, with gram sabha processes formalising handover and oversight. Implementation support agencies including non government organisations, community based organisations and self help groups have been empanelled to train local committees and promote women participation. Under JJM, the department ..