Air Pollution Updates: Delhi Responsible for 31% of Pollution, 69% from Outside, Says Kejriwal Govt

The air quality in the national capital remained in the very poor category with the air quality index (AQI) clocking the value of 344 at 8 am on Thursday, the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data showed. Though it remained in the very poor category, the AQI improved marginally at 344 on Thursday from its previous day’s index value of 375. Authorities, however, said no major improvement is likely till Sunday.

According to the CPCB’s Sameer App, Faridabad (354), Ghaziabad (364), Greater Noida (324), Gurugram (325) and Noida (333) also recorded their air quality in the very poor category at 8 am on Thursday. An AQI between zero 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.

The minimum temperature of the national capital was recorded at 10.5 degrees Celsius, two notches below the season’s average, India Meteorological Department (IMD) said. On Wednesday, the city has recorded season’s lowest minimum temperature so far at 9.6 degrees Celsius, three notches below normal.

The weather office predicted partly cloudy and hazy sky in the day. The maximum temperature of the day is likely to hover around 27 degrees Celsius, weather office said. IMD officials said that the relative humidity was recorded at 82 per cent at 5.30 am. On Wednesday, the maximum temperature settled at 27.4 degrees Celsius.

Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai on Thursday again demanded a meeting with his counterparts from neighbouring states, chaired by Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav.

“No matter what Delhi does, it cannot handle the 69% of pollution that comes from outside. Which is why I have asked for a meeting,” Rai said, adding that the Delhi government needed to tackle the rest 31 per cent of pollution.

No Relief Till Sunday; Amid Strict Vehicular Orders, Traffic Snarls Witnessed

V K Soni of the IMD on Tuesday told the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) that lower ventilation index due to low temperatures and calm wind conditions is predicted between Wednesday and Sunday, which is unfavourable for dispersion of pollutants.

The air quality is likely to improve Sunday onwards due to relatively strong winds, he said. The Ministry of Earth Sciences’ air quality monitor SAFAR has said the intrusion of stubble burning-related pollutants into Delhi is not likely on Wednesday and Thursday as the transport level wind direction is easterly.

Meanwhile, the Haryana government is planning to implement the odd-even vehicular scheme to reduce pollution, Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar said on Thursday, news agency ANI reported. The CM said the state government had also prepared a committee of engineers, Gurugram Municipal Corporation commissioners and DC to look for alternatives to reduce pollution. He added that according to the SC directions, some thermal plants were also being closed in Haryana.

Ahead of the Supreme Court hearing on the air pollution issue which was held on Wednesday, the CAQM late Tuesday night had directed that schools, colleges and educational institutions in the National Capital Region will remain closed until further orders, allowing only online mode of education.

It also said that only five of the 11 thermal power plants located within 300 km radius of Delhi — NTPC, Jhajjar; Mahatma Gandhi TPS, CLP Jhajjar; Panipat TPS, HPGCL; Nabha Power Ltd. TPS, Rajpura and Talwandi Sabo TPS, Mansa — will remain operational till November 30. The commission had directed Delhi and the NCR states to stop construction and demolition activities in the region till November 21, barring railway services/railway stations, metro rail corporation services, including stations, airports and inter-state bus terminals (ISBTS) and national security/defence-related activities/ projects of national importance subject to strict compliance of the C&D Waste Management Rules and dust control norms.

Meanwhile, trucks entering the national capital at the Delhi-Gurugram border were being checked by Delhi police following the ban ordered by Delhi government on all trucks (except those carrying essential commodities) till November 21, ANI reported.

However, a massive traffic snarl was seen at the Noida-Delhi Kalindi Kunj route on Thursday morning. ANI shared the visuals from the area.

The Supreme Court on Wednesday also directed the Centre and states to ensure implementation of the decisions taken in a meeting to curb air pollution, observing that it cannot get into the nitty gritty and the bureaucracy has developed a “sort of inertia” of not taking decisions which are left to the courts.

A bench headed by Chief Justice N V Ramana, which heard the case for over two hours, had said, Enough is enough. We cannot get into all the nitty gritty of the issue. You please take the steps to deal with the emergency situation.

The bench, which did not pass any directions, asked the Centre and the states to implement the measures, decided in the meeting, to curb the pollution.

With inputs from PTI.

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