Delhi: EPCA urges halting private transport for 10 days
With the national capital's air quality poised to enter the 'severe' category on Thursday, the Supreme Court-appointed Environment Pollution Control Authority (EPCA) has urged residents to refrain from using private transport for the first 10 days of November. Early on Thursday, Delhi's air quality index reached the 'very poor' category with a reading of 392 - eight points from the 'severe' category. Here's more.
Air quality categories as per AQI readings
An air quality index (AQI) reading of 0-50 is considered 'good', 51-100 is considered 'satisfactory', while 101-200 is considered 'moderate'. AQI readings of 201-300 is considered 'poor', 301-400 is considered 'very poor', while 401-500 is considered 'severe'.
Authorities have already issued bans on polluting activities
Earlier, on Tuesday, Delhi's air quality slipped to the 'severe' category, prompting authorities to issue a large set of instructions in a bid to control spiralling pollution. Authorities issued a ban on construction activities, and and asked industries using coal and biomass fuel to halt their operations between November 1 and November 10.
CPCB directs criminal action against those flouting pollution-checking directives
Meanwhile, on Thursday, the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) set up air pollution complaint guidelines for the public. Air pollution can be reported on the CPCB's social media page, website, and on its mobile app. The CPCB has also directed the pollution control bodies of Delhi, Punjab, and Haryana to initiate criminal proceedings against individuals and entities who are found flouting pollution-checking directives.
Unfavorable meteorological makes matters worse for the national capital
To make matters worse for the national capital, meteorological conditions will remain unfavourable for dispersal of pollution for the next two days, at the very least. According to the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology, low wind speed, coupled with the burning of biomass in Punjab and Haryana is likely to result in air quality remaining 'very poor' or deteriorating to 'severe'.
