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
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’.
Updated on Mar 22, 2018 11:53 PM IST
Hindustan Times, New Delhi | Ritam Halder
Delhi eyes tailor-made 72-hour pollution prediction tool
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.
Updated on Mar 21, 2018 11:56 PM IST
Hindustan Times | Ritam Halder, New Delhi
No contradiction in odd-even orders of EPCA and NGT, says SC-appointed pollution panel
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.
Updated on Mar 06, 2018 01:04 PM IST
Hindustan Times | Ritam Halder, New Delhi
EPCA to write to Haryana, UP to speed up process of adding air pollution monitoring stations
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
Updated on Mar 05, 2018 02:40 PM IST
Hindustan Times | Ritam Halder
Curbing industrial pollution in Delhi-NCR should be top priority: SC body
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
Updated on Mar 01, 2018 12:26 PM IST
Hindustan Times | Ritam Halder & Joydeep Thakur, New Delhi
New in Connaught Place: Smart poles to track air quality, provide Wi-Fi, keep watch
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.
Updated on Feb 23, 2018 12:33 PM IST
Hindustan Times | Ritam Halder
NDMC primary schools to get smart classes from next academic session
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.
Updated on Feb 21, 2018 09:12 AM IST
Hindustan Times | Ritam Halder
Now anti-smog gun for PWD roads in Delhi: Innovation or eyewash?
When the machine was used last time in December, the Central Pollution Control Board had given an adverse report about it.
Updated on Feb 20, 2018 02:32 PM IST
Hindustan Times | Ritam Halder, New Delhi
Vintage cars and bikes pay tribute to golden era of automotive industry
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
Published on Feb 17, 2018 11:07 PM IST
Hindustan Times | Ritam Halder
1933 Minerva to 1965 Ford Mustang: Vintage cars to roll down Delhi’s roads after 3 yrs
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.
Updated on Feb 09, 2018 12:07 PM IST
Hindustan Times | Ritam Halder
Ten basements sealed in Connaught Place over illegal commercial use
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.
Updated on Feb 07, 2018 11:55 PM IST
Hindustan Times | Ritam Halder, New Delhi
9 days and counting: Water crisis due to alarming ammonia levels continues in Delhi
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.
Updated on Feb 07, 2018 05:03 PM IST
Hindustan Times | Ritam Halder
North Delhi civic body to buy 5 more mechanical sweepers to curb road dust
The proposal to procure five more mechanical sweepers was made by NDMC while presenting its budget for 2018-19.
Updated on Feb 01, 2018 03:12 PM IST
Hindustan Times | Ritam Halder
Experts go deeper into Delhi for micro-action to fight pollution
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.
Updated on Jan 27, 2018 03:57 PM IST
Hindustan Times | Ritam Halder, New Delhi
NDMC to count its vintage trees to keep track of green cover in central Delhi
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
Updated on Jan 16, 2018 10:42 PM IST
Hindustan Times | Ritam Halder
Parking space to be added in Connaught Place, Khan Market
An underground mechanical car parking at Khan Market and a 245-car capacity lot at Janpath are being planned.
Updated on Jan 16, 2018 06:50 PM IST
Hindustan Times | Ritam Halder, New Delhi
Delhi wakes up to foggy morning
The fog disrupted train services and sparked a spike in air pollution on Saturday.
Published on Jan 13, 2018 10:28 AM IST
Hindustan Times, New Delhi | Ritam Halder
16 outlets face NDMC action on Day 2 of Khan Market sealing drive
Sealing only in conducted in sections of outlets not in compliance with civic norms, not entire establishments, say officials.
Published on Jan 09, 2018 11:39 PM IST
Hindustan Times | Ritam Halder, New Delhi
Delhi’s pollution hotspots: Mathura Road running out of breath
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
Updated on Jan 12, 2018 10:19 AM IST
Hindustan Times | Ritam Halder
By March 15, all industrial units in Delhi will switch to PNG: Govt tells EPCA
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.
Updated on Jan 04, 2018 01:10 PM IST
Hindustan Times | Ritam Halder
‘Tough pill to swallow’: What forced Delhi Jal Board to hike water tariff
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
Updated on Dec 27, 2017 03:54 PM IST
Hindustan Times | Ritam Halder & Ashish Mishra, New Delhi
Delhi water tariff hiked by 20% for consumption above 20000 litres, effective from Feb 1
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.
Updated on Dec 26, 2017 10:46 PM IST
Hindustan Times, Delhi | Ritam Halder and Ashish Mishra
Need strong measures like Beijing, Paris for odd-even drive in Delhi, says SC panel
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.
Updated on Dec 28, 2017 11:58 AM IST
Hindustan Times | Ritam Halder
Is Khan Market next? Traders anxious over sealing drive in Delhi markets
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.
Updated on Dec 26, 2017 05:15 PM IST
Hindustan Times | Ritam Halder, New Delhi
Polluting brick kilns to shut down for good after June 2018: EPCA
Officials estimate that there are currently around 2,080 brick kilns in Delhi-NCR, including 700 in Ghaziabad, Gautam Budh Nagar and Hapur districts.
Updated on Dec 24, 2017 10:04 PM IST
Hindustan Times | Ritam Halder, New Delhi
Delhi won’t wait for EPCA order to take emergency measures when air goes foul again
Air pollution: The Delhi Pollution Control Committee will issue an alert immediately to all departments concerned
Updated on Dec 22, 2017 08:51 PM IST
Hindustan Times | Ritam Halder, New Delhi
Delhi Technological University area is the next ‘air pollution hotspot’
According to Environment Pollution (Prevention & Control) Authority chairman Bhure Lal, this corner of the city has been consistently showing high pollution levels.
Updated on Dec 21, 2017 12:15 PM IST
Hindustan Times | Ritam Halder, New Delhi
What is an anti-smog cannon? Delhi is counting on it to reduce air pollution
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
Updated on Dec 20, 2017 05:22 PM IST
Hindustan Times | Joydeep Thakur and Ritam Halder
Super Zoo Zoo to make its debut as Comic Con returns to Delhi this weekend
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.
Updated on Dec 14, 2017 01:40 PM IST
Hindustan Times | Ritam Halder
Delhi Jal Board to send notices to govt depts over pending water bills of R3,220 crore
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.
Published on Dec 10, 2017 12:44 AM IST
Hindustan Times | Ritam Halder, New Delhi
