Weekly Environmental News Roundup: 9 March 2026
Weekly environmental news roundup from across different media networks for Week 10 (2 to 8 March) 2026.
Air Pollution
Air pollution is no longer seasonal. And it is not just Delhi’s problem
In Mumbai’s Lalbaug, where old textile mills once stood, towers now rise in tight clusters of glass and concrete.
Mist system on 1k electric poles to fight air pollution
The Delhi Public Works Department has planned to install water sprinkler systems on 1,000 street lights across the capital.
MCD repairs 431 kms of road, deploys 52 sweeping machines, 600 workers for dust control, sanitation
To curb dust pollution and strengthen sanitation across the national capital ahead of summer, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi has deployed 52 sweeping machines, water sprinklers and over 600 workers while speeding up road repairs.
Ghaziabad most-polluted city in India during 2025-26 winters, followed by Noida and Delhi: Report
Ghaziabad was the most-polluted city in India during the winter season in 2025-26, followed by Noida and Delhi, according to an air-quality analysis by the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air.
Mumbai air pollution: High court points to role of nearby cities, asks if there is a Delhi parallel
The Bombay High Court Thursday sought suggestions on air pollution originating from adjoining cities or areas near Mumbai, similar to how activities in neighbouring states of Punjab and Haryana impact Delhi’s air quality.
On toxic air in Delhi-NCR, it’s Indian vs foreign car makers
A recent consultation convened by the Commission for Air Quality Management on February 27 has brought to light a widening divide within the auto industry over a potential shift toward Zero Tailpipe Emission vehicles in Delhi-NCR.
New Delhi YMCA Organizes Cyclothon 3.0: 180 Riders Pedal for a Pollution-Free Environment
The New Delhi YMCA – Department of Students & Youth successfully organized Cyclothon 3.0 on Saturday, February 28, 2026, at 6:30 a.m., under the impactful theme “Riding for a Pollution Free Environment.”
Water Security
Water supply to be disrupted in several parts of Delhi
The Delhi Jal Board has announced a two-day water supply disruption in parts of the national capital on March 6 and March 7, 2026.
PWD sanctions Rs 177 crore storm water drain remodelling projects in Delhi
With the goal of improving Delhi’s drainage infrastructure and preventing waterlogging during the monsoon season, the Public Works Department has sanctioned a series of major storm water drain remodelling projects across north and northwest Delhi.
Delhi rules out floodwater reservoirs, pushes for upstream Yamuna dams
The irrigation and flood control department found that creating reservoirs to store excess floodwater during monsoon in Delhi is not feasible, senior officials said, citing high siltation level during flooding cycles, poor land availability and very high land rates as key impediments to the project.
Pontoons on drains, skimmers to reduce Yamuna pollution
The irrigation and flood control department has deployed six floating skimmers on the Yamuna and the Najafgarh drain and installed floating pontoons on 12 drains.
5km-long flood wall to save vulnerable areas near Yamuna in north Delhi
A nearly 5km-long flood wall from Majnu Ka Tila to Kashmere Gate along the Yamuna has been planned to prevent flooding of vulnerable areas in North Delhi during heavy monsoon spells.
River cleanup: STPs’ capacity up by 100MGD, claims DJB
Combining inter-state cooperation, infrastructure expansion and new treatment projects, Delhi Jal Board has intensified efforts to clean the Yamuna
MCD plans 10 biogas plants to curb dairy waste flow into Yamuna
The Municipal Corporation of Delhi has prepared an action plan to prevent dairy waste from reaching Yamuna via city’s drains.
Delhi: Froth at Wazirabad raises alarm about Yamuna pollution
Toxic froth and an ammoniacal stench at the Wazirabad barrage, a crucial drinking water source for Delhi, have triggered fresh concerns about pollution levels in the Yamuna, with activists warning that contamination may now be creeping into upstream stretches of the river, once considered relatively cleaner.
Activist writes to Delhi pollution board over missing Yamuna data since Jan
A Yamuna activist has written to the Delhi Pollution Control Committee, flagging delays in uploading monthly water quality reports for the river, sewage treatment plants, major drains and common effluent treatment plants, and warning that the lack of updated data undermines public scrutiny of pollution levels.
Irrigation department ramps up mechanisation for Yamuna cleaning in Delhi
The irrigation and flood control department has procured 38 specialised machines for desilting, weed removal and drain maintenance to intensify cleaning of the Yamuna, water minister Parvesh Verma said, as part of the Delhi government’s aim to restore the water quality of the river by 2028.
NGT seeks replies from Delhi authorities on alleged illegal Yamuna floodplain construction
The National Green Tribunal has requested responses from several civic and administrative bodies in Delhi concerning allegations of illegal construction on the floodplain of the Yamuna River, highlighting significant concerns about adherence to environmental regulations.
DDA may ease rules for ‘O-zone’ curbs in Southeast Delhi: MP
Major stretches of land along the Yamuna in southeast Delhi, currently falling under a category that deems it “environmentally sensitive” open zones, may soon receive regulatory relief and clearer land use guidelines, senior Delhi Development Authority officials and local representatives said after a meeting on Thursday.
195% more groundwater drawn by Guragon than it replenished last year
The city continues to extract far more groundwater than it can naturally replenish, with withdrawals reaching 194.6% more than the permissible limit,
Rs 100 for water bottle sparks outrage at Karan Aujla’s Delhi concert
A video showing a vendor selling a single bottle of water for Rs 100 near Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium has sparked widespread outrage and debate online following Karan Aujla’s P-Pop Culture India Tour 2026 concert on February 28.
Waste Management
Delhi: PWD blames MCD as Okhla landfill sewage damages key stretch
The public works department has said the Municipal Corporation of Delhi’s poor management at the Okhla landfill site and frequent overflow from its drains are causing repeated damage to the arterial road Ma Anandmayee Marg in south-east Delhi, which connects the Outer Ring Road near Kalkaji to the Mehrauli-Badarpur Road.
Residents flag encroachments, open waste dumping near Mini Secretariat
The Mini Secretariat in Gurugram’s sector 11, an administrative hub housing over 24 key government departments, including the district commissioner’s office and the district court, is grappling with illegal parking, encroachment, uneven road patches and open waste dumping.
MCD’s plan: Garbage won’t touch the ground
Garbage collected across Delhi may soon stop touching the ground. Municipal Corporation of Delhi is planning to set up modern transfer stations
Urban Biodiversity
Delhi govt notifies new boundaries for forest divisions across Capital
The Delhi Government has issued a fresh notification redefining the boundaries of forest divisions across the national capital, in a move aimed at strengthening forest administration, improving ecological protection and ensuring better coordination between the forest and revenue authorities.
Delhi forest department restores toll-free green helpline for complaints
The Delhi government’s Department of Forests and Wildlife has restored its toll-free green helpline number 1800118600 for receiving complaints related to trees, wildlife and forest-related issues, an official order said.
NGT forms panel to investigate alleged illegal tree felling at South Delhi farm
The National Green Tribunal has ordered a joint fact-finding inspection to verify claims of unauthorised tree cutting at a private farm in Chhatarpur, South Delhi.
Atal Garden to come up on 50-acre waste dumping ground along Najafgarh Drain in Capital
The Irrigation and Flood Control department of the Delhi government is planning to convert a 50-acre garbage dumping ground along the Najafgarh drain into a community space.
After 38 Days, Aravalli Sanrakshan Yatra Concludes in Delhi With Conservation Pledge
The Aravalli Sanrakshan Yatra – a journey undertaken by activists under the banner of the Aravalli Virasat Jan Abhiyan through all districts of the Aravallis across Gujarat, Rajasthan, Haryana and Delhi over 38 days to highlight issues threatening the Aravallis hill range – concluded at New Delhi on Monday (March 2).
AAP raises concerns over cattle welfare in Delhi
Raising serious concerns over cow welfare in the national capital, the Aam Aadmi Party on Tuesday alleged that cows are dying after consuming polythene waste, while people are falling ill from drinking contaminated milk obtained from these sick animals.
Climate Change
Climate change hits women hardest, funding support inadequate: UNGCNI
Climate change has serious impacts from a gender perspective, yet the capital flowing toward supporting women affected by it represents only a small fraction of what is required, a top representative of the United Nations Global Compact Network India said.
Jamia professor gets Rs 47 lakh Environment Ministry project to study urban heat
The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has awarded a major research project to Prof Atiqur Rahman, Head of the Department of Geography at Jamia Millia Islamia, to study how water bodies and tree cover help reduce urban heat.
AI a huge opportunity and serious risk for climate: UNEP official
Artificial Intelligence offers significant potential to help the climate crisis, but its high energy and water requirements could worsen environmental challenges if not managed properly, a senior official of the United Nations said.
