Construction ban if ‘severe’ air quality in Delhi NCR

• Diesel buses coming from NCR states are banned from entering the city from Wednesday; Only CNG, electric and BS-VI compliant buses are allowed.
• Environment Minister Gopal Rai said on Wednesday that construction activities would stop within a one-kilometre radius of pollution hotspots in the city if the air quality in these areas remained “severe” for a period of time.

Wednesday was the fifth consecutive day that Delhi’s overall air quality remained in the ‘very poor’ category, according to Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data. Air quality in some areas of the capital is considered “severe” and the city’s air could be “very poor” for the rest of the week.

The data showed that at 4 p.m., the average 24-hour air quality index was 364, compared to 351 the previous day. Values ​​between 0 and 50 on the AQI are considered “good”, 51 and 100 “satisfactory”, 101 and 200 “acceptable”, 201 and 300 “poor”, 301 and 400 “very poor”, and 401 and 500 “severe”. “..”.’.

Bus entrance

Speaking to reporters after a review meeting with various departments involved in the fight against air pollution, Rai added that the Delhi government will ban entry of diesel buses from NCR states and will allow only CNG, electric and BS VI compliant buses from Wednesday. .

“To supervise this, 18 teams consisting of six members each have been formed. Of these, four are from the transport department and two from the Delhi Traffic Police.

The minister also said that Delhi Metro has been asked to increase the frequency of trains while Delhi Transport Corporation has been directed to employ 1,000 special Paryavaran buses running on CNG by November 10.

The Public Works Department has also been directed to deploy mobile anti-smoke weapons at construction sites to reduce dust pollution. Rai said the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) has been directed to mix dust retardants in sprinklers for use not only in hotspot areas but across the city. Meanwhile, in a statement, the civic body said it has allocated Rs 20 lakh to each district to improve air quality management.

MCD District Funding

He added that the amount will be provided to all MCD areas to improve air quality over the next three days by increasing machinery and manpower to reduce dust pollution.

Every winter, air pollution increases in the national capital and some parts of northern India, mainly due to meteorological factors and stubble burning.

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Source: www.thehindu.com