Delhi govt lifts ban on construction, demolition activities with improvement in air quality
India | Nov 22, 2021, 01:50 PM ISTThe decision comes after a high-level meeting to review the curbs imposed to contain high pollution levels in the city.
The decision comes after a high-level meeting to review the curbs imposed to contain high pollution levels in the city.
According to the SAFAR bulletin, the per cent share of stubble burning related pollutants to Delhi's PM2.5 may remain low in spite of high wind speeds.
Earlier on Wednesday, announcing emergency measures to reduce pollution, Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai said that there will be 100 per cent work from home for the government departments till November 21.
The entry of trucks in Delhi except those carrying essential commodities has been stopped till November 21, 2021.
According to the fire department, the 13 identified pollution hotspots include Anand Vihar, Ashok Vihar, Bawana, Dwarka, Jahangirpuri, Mundka, Narela, Okhla, Punjabi Bagh, R K Puram, Rohini, Vivek Vihar, and Wazirpur.
The overall Air Quality Index (AQI) reduced from 396 from Tuesday to 379 today.
The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) late night Tuesday directed that schools, colleges and educational institutions in the National Capital Region will remain closed until further orders, allowing only online mode of education.
The Delhi government has informed the Supreme Court that it is ready to take steps like complete lockdown to control air pollution but such a step would be meaningful if it is implemented across the NCR areas in neighbouring states.
The Supreme Court on Monday had directed the Commission For Air Quality Management to hold a joint meeting and on Tuesday.
An AQI between zero and 50 is considered 'good', 51 and 100 'satisfactory', 101 and 200 'moderate', 201 and 300 'poor', 301 and 400 'very poor', and 401 and 500 'severe'.
The Delhi government released a statement, in which it quoted Rai as saying that on November 9, a high-level meeting was conducted and it was decided that five strict steps will be taken to provide relief to the people of the city from the pollution problem as soon as possible.
According to the government agencies, AQI between 0-50 is considered good, 51-100 is satisfactory, 101-200 moderate, 201-300 poor, 301-400 very poor and 401-500 are marked as severe/hazardous.
The chief minister, after an emergency meeting, told reporters that his government will also present a proposal for lockdown before the Supreme Court.
The Chief Justice said stubble burning may be part of the problem, but not the only issue behind severe air pollution in the capital.
On Thursday too, the air quality had plunged into the 'severe category' by reporting an AQI of 404 in the city.
The layer of eye-stinging smog lingering over Delhi-NCR thickened on Friday, giving an orange tint to the sun and lowering visibility to 200 metres at several places in the region reeling under hazardous pollution levels since early November.
This year, the festival began on November 8 with the 'Nahai Khai' ritual and will conclude on November 11 with devotees performing 'Usha Arghya' (prayers to the rising sun).
An AQI between zero and 50 is considered 'good', 51 and 100 'satisfactory', 101 and 200 'moderate', 201 and 300 'poor', 301 and 400 'very poor', and 401 and 500 'severe'.
Dr Seth said, "People who recovered from COVID are vulnerable to air pollution. Of this group, a lot of them got residue lung problems from minor to major. The toxic gases and particles affect the lungs directly."
Earlier on Friday, the overall air quality of Delhi was plunged into upper end of the very poor category, SAFAR informed.
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