Authorities order stringent action against violators

NEW DELHI: With last minute Diwali shopping, people are rushing towards major market stations. Areas like Lajpat Nagar, Cannaught Place and Sadar Bazar are crowded, which has led to heavy traffic and parking congestion in areas.

Sadar Bazaar, for example, witnesses hoards of people every day, but during Diwali the crowd doubles, creating a chaos like situation in the area. Besides the suffocation, the air is dusty and itchy, with almost everyone coughing or sneezing in the area.

On being asked whether any parking was possible, a policeman said, “It is not possible here at all. No car can get in.” This is even after parking has been created inside the market area.

Lajpat Nagar, too, has witnessed heavy traffic, with market area crowded almost to a level of suffocation. However, authorities have taken stringent actions to curb a mess, so that no chaos is created before or during the festive season. In a meeting on Thursday, Traffic Police have been ordered to deploy additional manpower to ensure smooth traffic in all areas.

This especially includes the identified high traffic corridors in Delhi.

“Visible polluting vehicles are to be impounded immediately,” said the order.

Meanwhile, authorities are trying to tackle air pollution situation in the “13 hotspots places” identified that have the highest number of AQI. Speaking to Millennium

Post, Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) scientist M.P George said the areas were categorised on the basis of PM2.5 and PM10 concentration.

“On the basis of these things, we developed an action plan, which was created about three months back and report was submitted to CPBB. They had gone through it and the work has also started on it,” he said.

However, with winter approaching and air quality going down a short term action plan was immediately created to tackle the situation.

“The major problem in all these hotspot places is the burning, whether it's garbage or plastic, the construction and dust. Dust is the major reason for these hotspot, for which plans have been made,” said George.

Environment Pollution (Prevention & Control) Authority (EPCA) in its meeting directed Delhi DPCC to be at high alert and give out all necessary orders for anyone violating the norms.