Ritam Halder
Ritam Halder has been a journalist for nearly a decade and has worked in multiple roles across organisations. He has been a features writer, a digital journalist as well as a desk hand. He now covers environment, water and urban issues in Delhi.
Articles by Ritam Halder
Delhi Budget goes green, focus more on cleaner fuel, electric buses
By Ritam Halder | Hindustan Times, New Delhi
UPDATED ON MAR 22, 2018 11:53 PM IST
The AAP government plans to roll out 1,000 fully electric buses, ‘the highest fleet of electric buses in any city or state in India, and in fact, by any city in the world outside of China’.
Delhi eyes tailor-made 72-hour pollution prediction tool
By Ritam Halder | Hindustan Times, New Delhi
UPDATED ON MAR 21, 2018 11:56 PM IST
According to a senior Delhi government official, the project, which might be part of the 2018-19 green budget, is expected to be up and running by October 2018.
No contradiction in odd-even orders of EPCA and NGT, says SC-appointed pollution panel
By Ritam Halder | Hindustan Times, New Delhi
UPDATED ON MAR 06, 2018 01:04 PM IST
In the GRAP stock-taking meeting last Wednesday, government officials asked the pollution panel to clarify its stance regarding the road-rationing scheme and whose orders (the EPCA or the NGT) should the agencies follow.
EPCA to write to Haryana, UP to speed up process of adding air pollution monitoring stations
By Ritam Halder | Hindustan Times
UPDATED ON MAR 05, 2018 02:40 PM IST
In a meeting, on Wednesday, on the graded response action plan implementation, it was decided that EPCA chairman Bhure Lal will write to the chief secretaries of these states, pointing out the missed deadlines and asking them to expedite the process
Curbing industrial pollution in Delhi-NCR should be top priority: SC body
By Ritam Halder & Joydeep Thakur | Hindustan Times, New Delhi
UPDATED ON MAR 01, 2018 12:26 PM IST
Last October, the Supreme Court had banned two cheap but highly polluting industrial fuels — furnace oil and petroleum coke, commonly called pet coke, and directed Rajasthan, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh to notify the ban immediately
New in Connaught Place: Smart poles to track air quality, provide Wi-Fi, keep watch
By Ritam Halder | Hindustan Times
UPDATED ON FEB 23, 2018 12:33 PM IST
In the first phase, smart poles are being installed in Connaught Place, Baba Kharak Singh Marg, Sansad Marg, Janpath, Kasturba Gandhi Marg, Barakhamba Road, Tolstoy Marg and nearby areas.
NDMC primary schools to get smart classes from next academic session
By Ritam Halder | Hindustan Times
UPDATED ON FEB 21, 2018 09:12 AM IST
The classes will be equipped with CCTV cameras, LEDs and other required infrastructure like smart board, which will help the teachers to impart lessons through digital tools.
Now anti-smog gun for PWD roads in Delhi: Innovation or eyewash?
By Ritam Halder | Hindustan Times, New Delhi
UPDATED ON FEB 20, 2018 02:32 PM IST
When the machine was used last time in December, the Central Pollution Control Board had given an adverse report about it.
Vintage cars and bikes pay tribute to golden era of automotive industry
By Ritam Halder | Hindustan Times
PUBLISHED ON FEB 17, 2018 11:07 PM IST
125 vintage cars and 35 vintage two wheelers gathered at a corner of India Gate as part of the 21 Gun Salute International Vintage Car Rally & Concours Show 2018
1933 Minerva to 1965 Ford Mustang: Vintage cars to roll down Delhi’s roads after 3 yrs
By Ritam Halder | Hindustan Times
UPDATED ON FEB 09, 2018 12:07 PM IST
After a gap of three years, car collectors in the capital again have permission to show off their collections with NGT allowing vintage cars to ply for rallies, exhibitions with a few rides.
Ten basements sealed in Connaught Place over illegal commercial use
By Ritam Halder | Hindustan Times, New Delhi
UPDATED ON FEB 07, 2018 11:55 PM IST
New Delhi Traders Association (NDTA) president Atul Bhargava said basements are supposed to be storage units but some establishments were using them for commercial purposes.
9 days and counting: Water crisis due to alarming ammonia levels continues in Delhi
By Ritam Halder | Hindustan Times
UPDATED ON FEB 07, 2018 05:03 PM IST
The level of ammonia in the Yamuna water has shot up to 2.23 parts per million (ppm) when the safe limit is 0.2 ppm. The Delhi Jal Board is equipped to treat up to 0.9 ppm of ammonia level in water.
North Delhi civic body to buy 5 more mechanical sweepers to curb road dust
By Ritam Halder | Hindustan Times
UPDATED ON FEB 01, 2018 03:12 PM IST
The proposal to procure five more mechanical sweepers was made by NDMC while presenting its budget for 2018-19.
Experts go deeper into Delhi for micro-action to fight pollution
By Ritam Halder | Hindustan Times, New Delhi
UPDATED ON JAN 27, 2018 03:57 PM IST
Based on an analysis of pollution recorded at 20 new monitoring stations across the city, govt will take take ‘micro-level’ and targeted action to combat pollution.
NDMC to count its vintage trees to keep track of green cover in central Delhi
By Ritam Halder | Hindustan Times
UPDATED ON JAN 16, 2018 10:42 PM IST
The proposed tree census will capture scientific and popular names, girth at breast height, height, crown area and GPS location of trees on main roads in areas under New Delhi Municipal Council
Parking space to be added in Connaught Place, Khan Market
By Ritam Halder | Hindustan Times, New Delhi
UPDATED ON JAN 16, 2018 06:50 PM IST
An underground mechanical car parking at Khan Market and a 245-car capacity lot at Janpath are being planned.
Delhi wakes up to foggy morning
By Ritam Halder | Hindustan Times, New Delhi
PUBLISHED ON JAN 13, 2018 10:28 AM IST
The fog disrupted train services and sparked a spike in air pollution on Saturday.
16 outlets face NDMC action on Day 2 of Khan Market sealing drive
By Ritam Halder | Hindustan Times, New Delhi
PUBLISHED ON JAN 09, 2018 11:39 PM IST
Sealing only in conducted in sections of outlets not in compliance with civic norms, not entire establishments, say officials.
Delhi’s pollution hotspots: Mathura Road running out of breath
By Ritam Halder | Hindustan Times
UPDATED ON JAN 12, 2018 10:19 AM IST
Part 1 of 5: Choked roads, ongoing construction and nearby industries, have turned one of Delhi’s arterial stretches — Matura Road — into a new pollution hotspot
By March 15, all industrial units in Delhi will switch to PNG: Govt tells EPCA
By Ritam Halder | Hindustan Times
UPDATED ON JAN 04, 2018 01:10 PM IST
EPCA chairman Bhure Lal had raised the issue of industries running in Badli, Bawana, Narela and DTU areas causing air pollution in a meeting with Lieutenant-Governor Anil Baijal on December 7.
‘Tough pill to swallow’: What forced Delhi Jal Board to hike water tariff
By Ritam Halder & Ashish Mishra | Hindustan Times, New Delhi
UPDATED ON DEC 27, 2017 03:54 PM IST
Delhi Jal Board on Tuesday hiked water tariff by 20% for those using more than 20,000 litres a month. The new tariff will come into effect from February 1 next year. This is the second hike in water tariff since AAP came to power in 2015
Delhi water tariff hiked by 20% for consumption above 20000 litres, effective from Feb 1
By Ritam Halder and Ashish Mishra | Hindustan Times, Delhi
UPDATED ON DEC 26, 2017 10:46 PM IST
This is the second time that the AAP government, which came to power in Delhi in 2015 with the promise of free water and electricity, has hiked the water tariff.
Need strong measures like Beijing, Paris for odd-even drive in Delhi, says SC panel
By Ritam Halder | Hindustan Times
UPDATED ON DEC 28, 2017 11:58 AM IST
In Beijing, violation of odd-even rules can cost you your auto insurance for a year. In Paris, violators face heavy on-the-spot fines.
Is Khan Market next? Traders anxious over sealing drive in Delhi markets
By Ritam Halder | Hindustan Times, New Delhi
UPDATED ON DEC 26, 2017 05:15 PM IST
Armed with a Supreme Court order and backed by the apex court-appointed committee, civic agencies are on a warpath against property owners running commercial establishments without paying conversion charges.
Polluting brick kilns to shut down for good after June 2018: EPCA
By Ritam Halder | Hindustan Times, New Delhi
UPDATED ON DEC 24, 2017 10:04 PM IST
Officials estimate that there are currently around 2,080 brick kilns in Delhi-NCR, including 700 in Ghaziabad, Gautam Budh Nagar and Hapur districts.
Delhi won’t wait for EPCA order to take emergency measures when air goes foul again
By Ritam Halder | Hindustan Times, New Delhi
UPDATED ON DEC 22, 2017 08:51 PM IST
Air pollution: The Delhi Pollution Control Committee will issue an alert immediately to all departments concerned
Delhi Technological University area is the next ‘air pollution hotspot’
By Ritam Halder | Hindustan Times, New Delhi
UPDATED ON DEC 21, 2017 12:15 PM IST
According to Environment Pollution (Prevention & Control) Authority chairman Bhure Lal, this corner of the city has been consistently showing high pollution levels.
What is an anti-smog cannon? Delhi is counting on it to reduce air pollution
By Joydeep Thakur and Ritam Halder | Hindustan Times
UPDATED ON DEC 20, 2017 05:22 PM IST
The anti-smog cannon will be used throughout the day with the monitoring station at Anand Vihar observing any changes in Delhi pollution levels. Here’s how it works
Super Zoo Zoo to make its debut as Comic Con returns to Delhi this weekend
By Ritam Halder | Hindustan Times
UPDATED ON DEC 14, 2017 01:40 PM IST
Among the special attractions this year will be Super Zoo Zoo, the popular Vodafone mascot, that will make its Comic Con debut. Pass holders this year will also receive exclusive Archie titles with a customized Delhi city cover.
Delhi Jal Board to send notices to govt depts over pending water bills of R3,220 crore
By Ritam Halder | Hindustan Times, New Delhi
PUBLISHED ON DEC 10, 2017 12:44 AM IST
According to a senior Delhi government official, the decision was taken by chief minister Arvind Kejriwal, who is also the state’s water minister, after a meeting with Delhi Jal Board officials at his residence on Saturday.
