‘Air quality severe, critically-polluted days ahead’

AAP govt starts process to install devices to monitor pollution Pollutants up to 9 times above safe limit

The Delhi government has started the process of installing Radio Frequency Devices (RFIDs) and Weigh-in-Motion machines at all 13 border entry points in a bid to curb air pollution in the capital even as Delhiites on Thursday inhaled severely poor quality air which had respirable pollutants up to nine times above the safe limit at certain places even as authorities warned of a “critically-polluted” period ahead. Anand Vihar, the city's pollution hotspot, had PM 1O (suspended particulate matter) at over 962 micrograms per cubic metre at 2 PM, as against the safe limit of 100, days ahead of Diwali, which is expected to worsen the situation. The figure was recorded by the Delhi Pollution Control Committee's (DPCC) realtime air quality monitor. Its AQI (air quality index) remained severe through the day, hitting 500 (maximum limit) at many points. Even PM 2.5, finer and deadlier pollutants, was several times above the prescribed limit.

PWD minister Satyendar Jain has directed officials concerned to take immediate steps to bring down the rising air pollution in accordance with the Supreme Court guidelines of levying environmental compensation charge (ECC) on commercial vehicles entering the national capital.

He held a meeting on Thursday with all the departments concerned — the MCDs, transport, VAT, PWD, environment, DPCC, DSIIDC — on the matter and issued instructions to the officials.

It was decided in the meeting that a foolproof system will be ensured for implementation of the Supreme Court guidelines without any pilferage or lack of clarity, a senior government official said. RITES (a Central government enterprise under the Railways) will prepare the bidding documents for the process so that the work for the installation of RFIDs and Weigh-inMotion equipment can begin at the earliest.

According to the official, the apex court has already made it clear that the ECC collected ought to be used exclusively for augmenting public transport and improving roads in Delhi. “The government is also in the process of implementing a series of steps to check air pollution, which assumes serious proportions during winter months. (Announcements in this regard will be made very soon),” the official further said.

In December last year, the ECC had been doubled by the Supreme Court, following which light commercial vehicles with two axles loaded with goods have to pay `1,400 and loaded commercial vehicles with three and four axles have to pay `2,600 to enter the national capital.