Shut coal, biomass industries; minimize use of private vehicles: CPCB
Stringent measures, including minimization of private vehicles and shutdown of coal and biomass industries, are recommended by the CPCB-led task force between November 1-10 to deal with the alarming increase of pollution in Delhi. The task force also advised the public to avoid strenuous outdoor exercises to minimize their exposure to the toxic air and cut down the use of private cars.
Delhi's air quality index was very poor yesterday
The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) recorded the overall Air Quality Index of Delhi at 361 yesterday evening, which falls in the 'very poor' category, but not very far from the 'severe' category. An AQI between 0 and 50 is considered 'good', 51 and 100 'satisfactory', 101 and 200 'moderate', 201 and 300 'poor', 301 and 400 'very poor', and 401 and 500 'severe'.
Delhi's poor air-quality to remain same for next few days
In a meeting with representatives from the Environment Ministry, IMD, Pollution Control Boards of UP, Haryana, and Delhi yesterday, the CPCB-led task force appraised the members on rising levels of air pollution in Delhi NCR. Siddharth Singh, the representative from the India Meteorological Department (IMD), said Delhi's poor air quality would continue to remain in the same condition for the next few days.
CPCB task force came out with additional measures
It was also informed that during November beginning, the situation might get further deteriorated on account of localized emissions during the festival and regional contribution due to stubble-burning, Singh said in the meeting. Given this and considering previous years' experience, Task Force recommends certain additional measures as proactive steps to deal with the situation for consideration of Supreme Court-appointed Environment Pollution Control Authority.
Stop construction activities, control traffic congestion, says CPCB
The measures include halt of all construction activities involving excavation, civil construction, stone crushers in Delhi & NCR during November 1-10. Coal and Biomass based Industries (excluding thermal and Waste to Energy Plants) would remain closed in Delhi-NCR from November 4-10 and intensification of efforts by transport department to check polluting vehicles and control traffic congestion in Delhi-NCR during November 1-10 were other measures.
Task force also recommended provision of uninterrupted power supply
The task force recommended efforts to provide uninterrupted power supply in NCR towns to avoid the requirement of operating Diesel Generator (DG) sets. The pollution level in the national capital has deteriorated to alarming levels in the last two weeks. The reason behind the deterioration has been attributed to localized factors as well as stubble burning from the neighboring states of Punjab and Haryana.
