Delhi's air quality remains at a 'very poor' level, with an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 398 at 6 am on Thursday, according to data from SAFAR. The city has witnessed severe pollution in recent days, prompting the implementation of Stage IV of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP). Specific areas, including Anand Vihar, Dwarka Sector-8, IGI Airport (T3), and Mundka, recorded higher AQI levels in the 'severe' category.

To address the severe air pollution, the Delhi government is considering artificial rain, with the proposal submitted to the Supreme Court by Environment Minister Gopal Rai. Meanwhile, over 1,300 vehicle owners faced fines in a single day for driving without Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificates, as reported by Delhi Traffic Police.

ALSO READ: Cash For Query Row: LS Ethics Panel To Meet Today To Adopt Draft Report Against Mahua Moitra

Stage IV of GRAP prohibits construction activities and the entry of polluting trucks into the city. Additionally, app-based taxis are banned following Supreme Court orders, and the odd-even car rationing scheme will be implemented based on the court's review. Artificial rain through cloud seeding is planned around November 20 to combat the persisting severe air pollution.

Recommended For You

In response to the deteriorating air quality, the Delhi government rescheduled the winter break for all schools, moving it to November 9 to November 18.

The Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) has received instructions to resume full operation of the smog tower by Thursday. In response to localised instances of biomass burning, 611 teams comprising officials from the Municipal Corporation Delhi, DPCC, and the revenue department have been mobilised. A special drive is set to commence to address this issue.

ALSO READ: One Terrorist Killed In Encounter With Security Forces In J&K's Shopian

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has taken note of the escalating air quality crisis in various regions of India and has issued directives to Chief Secretaries of seven states. In response to the worsening air quality, smog, and pollution in Delhi, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, and Rajasthan, the NGT has instructed the Chief Secretaries of these states to take immediate action.


Also In News