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Delhi air quality nosedives to severe; authorities ban construction, look to regulate private vehicles

As Delhi's air quality turned 'severe' for the first time this season on Tuesday, authorities have banned construction activities along with halting operations of industries using coal and biomass as fuel between November 1 and 10, and are considering regulating use of private vehicles.

The Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) issued the directions, which also included intensifying patrolling in 'hot spots' with "no tolerance for visibly polluting vehicles", to government agencies following the orders from the Supreme Court-appointed Environment Pollution Control Authority (EPCA).

Delhi's air quality turned 'severe' on Tuesday for the first time this season with stubble burning intensifying in neighbouring states, authorities said, reports PTI.

The overall Air Quality Index (AQI) was 401, falling in the 'severe' category, the highest this season, Central Pollution Control Board officials said. The Centre-run System of Air Quality Forecasting And Research (SAFAR) recorded the AQI at 410.

An official said that the EPCA is even considering regulating use of private vehicles in the wake of an alarming rise in air pollution in Delhi. There are a total of 35 lakh private vehicles in the Delhi NCR region.

In 2016, the odd-even scheme was enforced twice - January 1-15 and April 15-30 in the city when vehicles having odd and even numbers were allowed to ply on alternate days.

The EPCA has earlier accepted the recommendation of a Central Pollution Control Board-led task force for the period between November 1 to 10 when further deterioration of air is expected due to festival season and stubble burning in neighbouring states.

The DPCC order includes halt of all construction activities involving excavation, civil construction to remain closed in Delhi and other NCR districts from November 1-10, besides closure of all stone crushers, hot mix plants generating dust pollution in Delhi and NCR districts.

All industries using coal and biomass as fuel(excluding thermal and waste to energy plants) will remain closed in Delhi and NCR districts from November 4-10.

The DPCC has directed the transport department and traffic police to intensify checking of polluting vehicles and control travel congestion in Delhi and other NCR districts during November 1-10.

Following the direction from the EPCA, the DPCC notified Delhi Development Authority, Navratna Central Public Sector, Delhi Metro Rail Corporation, Delhi Transport Corporation, National Highway Authority of India, India Meteorological Department, New Delhi Municipal Council, South Delhi Municipal Council, East Delhi Municipal Council and Public Works Department to enforce these measures.

The EPCA has also asked DPCC to publish in newspapers advisory for public, recommending them to reduce outdoor activities and minimise their travel using private vehicles as much as possible, the official said.

The national capital has been grappling with dangerous levels of pollution for the last two weeks.