In view of an “improvement” in the air quality, the Delhi government has decided to resume physical classes in schools, colleges and other educational institutions and reopen government offices from November 29, Environment Minister Gopal Rai said on Wednesday. Only CNG and electric vehicles, barring those engaged in essential services, will be allowed to enter Delhi from November 27, the minister said after a meeting to review curbs to tackle air pollution. The ban on the entry of vehicles operating on other fuels will remain till December 3, he said.
Here are the latest updates on air pollution in Delhi:
– As Air Quality Index shows slight improvement on Wednesday, the Delhi environment minister Gopal Rai announced reopening of schools and colleges from November 29. This comes hours after the Supreme Court pulled up the Centre on rising pollution levels in the national capital, stating, “what message are we sending to the world.”
– Rai urged government staff to use public transport. “We hired private CNG buses recently. We have decided to use them to ferry employees from government residential colonies such as Gulabi Bagh and Nimri Colony,” he said.
– The government will also start a shuttle bus service from the Delhi Secretariat to ITO and Indraprastha metro stations for its employees. “The air quality has improved over the last three days. The city’s AQI is similar to pre-Diwali days,” he said.
Also Read: AQI ‘Very Poor’, Ban on Construction Lifted; WFH Till Nov 26
– The Supreme Court Wednesday asked the Centre and the NCR states to continue implementing for few days the measures to ensure improvement in air quality, saying that preventive actions are needed in anticipation to curb pollution even as it wondered what signals are being sent to the world. When the weather becomes severe then we take measures. These measures have to be taken in anticipation, and this anticipation has to be based on a statistical model and scientific study and pattern, a special bench headed by Chief Justice N V Ramana said.
– “This is the national capital. Look at the signals we are sending to the world. You can stop these activities in anticipation itself so the severe grade does not happen,” the bench which also comprised justices DY Chandarchud and Surya Kant said. The measures suggested by the Commission for Air Quality Management in the NCR and Adjoining Areas to deal with industrial pollution, thermal plants, vehicular emissions, dust control, diesel generators as well as encouraging work from home be continued for the time being, the apex court said.
– Air Quality Index (AQI) in Delhi was recorded at 280 on Wednesday morning, slightly better than Tuesday. For the past 20 days, AQI in the national capital has been oscillating between ‘very poor’ and ‘severe’ categories.
– As per the System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting And Research (SAFAR), a central forecasting agency, the PM 10 was recorded at 220 in the ‘moderate’ category, while PM 2.5 was recorded in the ‘poor’ category.
– The ban on construction and demolition activities was lifted on Monday in view of an improvement in the air quality and inconvenience caused to workers.
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