The overall air
quality in the National Capital continues to be in the ‘severe’ category’ for
the fifth straight day, as per the Central Pollution Control Board.
According to the
data issued by the System of Air Quality Forecasting and Research
(SAFAR-India), the air quality in the National Capital was recorded at 488, up
from 410 a day ago.
Meanwhile, Delhi
Environment Minister Gopal Rai has called a meeting of all concerned
departments today in view of the increasing pollution, his office said in a
brief statement.
The statement
further informed that the meeting has been called to strictly implement GRAP-4.
This comes after
the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) on Sunday decided to invoke
Stage IV of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) in the entire National
Capital Region (NCR) with immediate effect to prevent further deterioration of
air quality.
The Air Quality
Commission said that Stage IV will be implemented in addition to the
restrictions placed under Stage I to III.
According to the
8-point action plan, there will be a ban on entry of truck traffic into Delhi
(except for trucks carrying essential commodities or providing essential services
and all LNG, CNG and electric trucks).
Also, a ban will
be imposed on the plying of Delhi-registered diesel-operated Medium Goods
Vehicles (MGVs) and Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs) in Delhi, except those carrying
essential commodities/ providing essential services.
GRAP Stage-IV
restrictions include NCR State Govts and GNCTD may take a decision on
discontinuing physical classes even for classes VI-IX, and class XI and conduct
lessons in an online mode.
According to
doctors, for any healthy person, a recommended AQI should be less than 50, but
these days the AQI has spiked beyond 400, which could prove fatal for those
suffering from lung-related diseases and even poses a risk of lung cancer.
The cases of
stubble burning in the neighbouring States of Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, and
Punjab are the major sources of air pollution in the city.
Meanwhile, a
similar situation was witnessed in Bathinda, Punjab where the AQI remained in
the (very poor) category with an overall Air Quality Index recorded at 215.
Locals said and
appealed to the government to stop farmers from stubble burning as air
pollution in the region continues to deteriorate.
“Do not let the
farmers set the stubble on fire. The smoke will cause great health problems to
the people,” locals said.
NGT in a statement
said that immediate action is required for the prevention and control of air
pollution in these cities so as to ensure better air quality to the residents.
ANI
