Amid worsening air quality, the Delhi government has expressly implemented some measures including a ban on the entry of diesel buses from Haryana, increase in CNG buses Delhi environment minister Gopal Rai on Wednesday said the next fortnight is crucial for Delhi due to drop in temperatures and calm winds. Delhi’s air quality index has remained around 350 for the past few days with meteorologists attributing this to persisting weather conditions. “These conditions are expected to persist for the next few days, making the next fortnight crucial for Delhi,” he said.
The national capital’s air quality has remained in the ‘very poor’ category for five days on the trot, with an air quality index (AQI) of 372 at 10 am, which is the highest so far this season, even as the minimum temperature was recorded at 16.4 degrees Celsius. The AQI in many parts of Delhi such as Anand Vihar, Bawana and Rohini has entered the ‘severe’ category.
The 24-hour average AQI was 359 on Tuesday (October 31), 347 on Monday (October 30), 325 on Sunday (October 29), 304 on Saturday (October 28) and 261 on Friday (October 27). Several areas within the city such as Nehru Nagar (402), Sonia Vihar (412), Rohini (403), Wazirpur (422), Bawana (403), Mundka (407), Anand Vihar (422) and New Moti Bagh (435) experienced a drastic deterioration in air quality. 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”.
Rai said the government will ban construction work in areas recording an AQI above the 400-mark for the next five days. Despite the implementation of preventive measures under Stage 2 of the central government’s air pollution control plan, pollution levels continue to rise. Construction work will, therefore, be halted within a 1-km radius where the AQI exceeds the 400-mark for five consecutive days, he said.
The minister said he has instructed nodal officers to ensure strict enforcement of air pollution control measures in such areas. The Delhi government has issued directives to all departments and resident welfare associations to distribute heaters to security guards to prevent biomass burning.
At least 1,000 private CNG buses will be brought under contract to strengthen public transport and reduce vehicular pollution, while the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) has received instructions to use dust suppressants in water sprinklers to control dust pollution, he added.
Only electric, CNG, BS-VI diesel buses to be allowed entry
“The entry of diesel buses into Delhi has been stopped from today as per the directions by CAQM (Commission for Air Quality Management). A total of 18 teams have been formed for this… It is my request to the state governments to ply only CNG, electric or BS-VI buses from their depots so that passengers do not face any trouble,” Rai said.
In a circular issued to Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan, the transport department shared the guidelines for buses. The transport department also said from July 1 next year, all buses coming to Delhi from any city or town in Haryana, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh shall only be electric, CNG and BS-VI diesel ones.
The circular said any deviation will be treated as violation of provisions stipulated in the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, and could even invite action under it. The department has deployed 18 enforcement teams at border points to check whether the buses coming to the capital are following the norms.
MCD allocates Rs 20 Lakh per zone to combat air pollution
The MCD said it has allocated Rs 20 lakh per zone for taking measures to combat air pollution. The funds will be provided to all 12 zones so that the air quality improves over the next three days by taking dust mitigation measures, the civic body said in a statement.
“The amount will be utilised for strengthening the machinery and manpower to mitigate dust pollution. The funds will be used to make sprinklers functional and hire drivers… funds, all zones will ensure the operation of anti-smog guns with full efficiency, along with manpower in their respective jurisdiction,” it said.
As part of its efforts, the MCD will also focus on the deployment of machinery and manpower for clearing garbage along railway tracks, officials said. It will purchase dust suppressants that will be sprayed using anti-smog guns and water sprinklers at least every alternate day during non-peak hours, they said. The MCD has decided to take strict measures for regulating construction and dumping of demolition waste, they said.
No fireworks display in Delhi during World Cup matches
Taking cognisance of poor air quality, the BCCI banned the display of fireworks during the remaining World Cup games in Delhi that has only one match left to host — the Bangladesh-Sri Lanka game on November 6. The same has been done for Mumbai, which has a few more games remaining.
“The Board is committed to combating environmental issues and will always place the interest of our fans and stakeholders at the forefront. The BCCI acknowledges the urgent concern surrounding air quality in both Mumbai and New Delhi. While we strive to host the ICC World Cup in a manner befitting the celebration of cricket, we remain steadfast in our commitment to prioritising the health and safety of all our stakeholders,” said BCCI secretary Jay Shah in a statement on Wednesday.
Delhi HC raises concern over poor air quality
The Delhi High Court told the forest department it was responsible for the capital’s air quality and must take steps to ensure that the AQI improves.
Justice Jasmeet Singh, while dealing with issues of creation of an alternative forest in Delhi and filling up vacancies in the department, said children were suffering from asthma due to breathing polluted air. Encroachment, he said, was taking place in the ridge area, considered the lungs of the national capital, “right under the nose” of government officials.
Asking the principal secretary of the forest department to fill the vacancies on a “war footing”, the court said, “You are responsible for the quality of air we breathe. It is your obligation to ensure AQI comes down. Every kid is having breathing problems. (In) December-January, people have to travel out when it is the best time to be here,” the court said.
It stressed that the residents of Delhi have the fundamental right to clean air to breathe and greenery goes a long way in doing that.
This was a day after the Supreme Court directed Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan governments to file affidavits enumerating measures initiated by them to control air pollution. The court noted that air pollution persists in the national capital despite several remedial steps by the CAQM.
Observing that until a couple of decades ago this was the best time in Delhi, the court said the city is now marred by worsening air quality and it is difficult to even step outside the house. A three-judge bench headed by Justice SK Kaul directed the five states to file affidavits within a week. The SC also directed the CAQM to submit in a tabular form the result of the relevant period when the problem started and the current ground situation, including parameters like AQI and the number of incidents of farm fires.
(With PTI inputs)
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