Odd-even enters second day; PM Modi steps in
Air quality improves slightly
NEW DELHI: With the air quality in Delhi and surrounding areas hovering in the “severe” and “very poor” categories, Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired a meeting on Tuesday to discuss the pollution situation in northern India.
“PM Narendra Modi chaired a meeting in which the situation arising due to pollution in various parts of northern India was discussed,” the Prime Minister’s Office tweeted.
The prime minister also reviewed the situation arising due to cyclone conditions in parts of western India.
The meet on pollution comes after back-to-back review meetings held by P K Mishra, the principal secretary to the prime minister, with top officials of Delhi, Punjab and Haryana on Sunday and Monday.
Pollution levels in the national capital marginally improved on Tuesday due to an increase in wind speed even as air quality remained in the ‘very poor’ category in the morning.
According to the Meteorological (MET) department, there is a possibility of strong winds in the next 24 hours.
At 9.44 am, Delhi’s air quality index (AQI) was recorded at 365. The AQI at Vivek Vihar, Anand Vihar and ITO were registered at 410, 395 and 382 respectively.
On Monday, the city’s average AQI stood at 370 at 8.30 pm due to a slight increase in wind.
The odd-even scheme entered its second day on Tuesday as Delhi Transport Minister Kailash Gahlot monitored its implementation and said he is happy to see odd-numbered vehicles on the city roads.
The transport minister visited several places to monitor the enforcement of the road rationing scheme that allows vehicles with odd and even number plates to ply on alternate days.
“#Oddeven 2nd Day: Happy to see Odd Number vehicles on Delhi Roads,” Gahlot said in a tweet. In another tweet, the transport minister said, “We all should encourage carpooling/sharing.”
NEW DELHI: Environmental compensation of around Rs 14 crore has been imposed on pollution instigators and 99,202 challans have been issued in Delhi for violation of anti-air pollution laws, according to official data.
Three-hundred teams constituted by the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC), Delhi State Industrial and Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd, Public Works Department, district magistrates and municipal corporations to identify violations, such as dumping of construction and demolition waste, dumping and burning of garbage and construction activities, have conducted 19,100 inspections.
“An environmental compensation of Rs 13.99 crore has been imposed by various agencies. Under a special drive, 29,044 metric tonnes of construction and demolition waste has been lifted by municipal corporations and the Public Works Department since October 16,” a government statement said.
The DPCC has penalised various government agencies such as the PWD, Central Public Works Department, National Buildings Construction Corporation Limited, and Delhi Development Authority for violations of dust control norms at major construction sites.
“Rs 57 lakh has been deposited by the violators in the last 15 days,” the statement said.
Heavy penalty has been levied on ready mix concrete plants found violating dust control guidelines framed by the DPCC.
As the Environment Pollution (Prevention and Control) Authority has imposed a ban on diesel generator sets till March 15, 2020, a special drive has been
launched to detect operation of DG sets, if any.
“Three-hundred-nineteen industrial units, which have not switched to piped natural gas, have been directed to remain closed till November
8. Seventy-four other units which are using other fuels have been closed,” the statement said.