According to the Central Pollution Control Board and SAFAR (System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research), a forecasting body under the Ministry of Earth and Sciences, Delhi's air quality remained "severe," with farm residue burning responsible for 30% of PM2.5 pollution in the city.
The Air Quality Index (AQI) in Noida (UP) is 529 today, 478 in Gurugram (Haryana) and 534 near Dhirpur, all of which are in the 'Severe' category. The total AQI in Delhi is now 431, putting it in the 'Severe' category.
Yesterday at a news conference Arvind Kejriwal along with Bhagwant Mann, the chief minister of Punjab, spoke about the increasing air pollution and accepted blame for the excessive farm residue burning that has caused the air quality to deteriorate over the past several days.
Kejriwal further stated that since air pollution is a "North Indian problem," neither the AAP nor the Delhi government is to blame and together the issue needs to be tackled.
According to Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR)’s recently released statistics, Punjab witnessed 26,583 paddy stubble burning cases between 15 September and 4 November this year against 23,610 incidents last year during the same period.
It is worth mentioning that there were fewer instances of farm residue burning this year in Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Delhi.
Since the AQI is at a "severe" level, the Commission for Air Quality Management has implemented measures under stage IV of the Graded Response Action Plan. Know what will be allowed and what will be banned under it.
What is permitted?
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As per Transport Department regulation, all CNG and electric cars may be permitted to enter the city.
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The use of BS-VI vehicles and those for important and emergency services is to be excluded from the prohibition.
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Public transportation firms will be strengthened in order to serve passengers in a better way. The transportation division will rent up to 1,000 non-public CNG contract carriage buses from DTC for 60 days. Additionally, it might be extended by up to 90 days.
It said that 500 buses could be used in the main segment. Up to further directives from the Commission for Air Quality Management, the strategy will continue to be under pressure.
What is prohibited?
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The CAQM prohibited the use of four-wheeled diesel-light motor vehicles in and around Delhi-NCR.
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All diesel trucks will not be permitted within Delhi except those with essential commodities or services.
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Until the city's air quality improves, elementary schools will be closed in Delhi. In Noida, schools have started with their online courses up to eighth grade.
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All businesses that don't work on clean fuels have been closed down. However, some industries, such as those related to milk and dairy products and those engaged in the production of life-saving medical devices and/or medications, must be exempted from these prohibitions.
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The Delhi Transport Department's also specified that the BS-III gasoline and BS-IV diesel light motorized vehicles may be prohibited from operating in any places governed by the NCT of Delhi. The division has also hinted at a fine of 20,000 for anyone who breaks the rules.
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Ban is imposed on projects related to construction including roads, flyovers, overhead bridges, pipelines and energy transmission.
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On November 4, Delhi's Environment Minister, Gopal Rai, also mandated work-from-home for 50 percent of the city's government employees.
