Capital air quality ‘ severe’, no construction till Sunday
■ Ministry directs agencies to be on maximum alert
Air quality in the national capital remained “severe” for the third day on Thursday, prompting authorities to alert people to avoid staying outdoors and Delhi’s lieutenantgovernor Anil Baijal to order halt in all civil construction activities across the city till Sunday.
As the national capital continues to grapple with severe dust pollution, L- G Anil Baijal ordered closure of all civil construction activities across Delhi till Sunday as part of emergency measures, which also include intensifying mechanical road sweeping.
Union environment minister Harsh Vardhan directed agencies to be on “maximum” alert and take all measures to contain sources of dust.
A thick blanket of haze has been enveloping Delhi and parts of the national capital region for the last few days.
The air quality in Delhi remained beyond the “severe” level for the third straight day on Thursday. The authorities warned that dusty conditions were likely to prevail for another 3- 4 days and advised people to avoid staying outdoors for long hours.
According to the L- G office, the civic bodies, PWD, and the Delhi Pollution Control Committee ( DPCC) have been directed to impose penalties on all road construction agencies for violating laid down norms for dust control measures.
The L- G tweeted he has held an emergency meeting in view of the severe dust pollution in Delhi with environment minister Imran Hussain and the concerned officials.
He said emergency measures like closure of all civil construction activities till June 17 have been taken and further monitoring would be done by agencies like NHAI, DMRC, MCDs, PWD, and NBCC to ensure compliance.
In a statement, the L- G office stated that the municipal corporations, Delhi Development Authority ( DDA), and SDMs will strictly enforce prohibition on open burning of garbage, plastics, and leaves in the national capital.
“Municipal corporations and PWD will intensify mechanical road sweepings, sprinkling of nonpotable water at central verges and roadsides, and stop sweeping activity on the main roads,” it stated.
The meeting was attended by Mr Hussain, chief secretary Anshu Prakash, EPCA chairman Bhure Lal, senior government officers, the Centre for Science and Environment ( CSE) director general, and EPCA member Sunita Narain. The L- G said a massive afforestation drive would be conducted across Delhi from July 15.