Delhi schools to remain shut on November 14 & 15, following EPCA recommendation

Following the repetitive dip in the Air Quality Index of the national Capital, the Environment Pollution (Prevention and Control) Authority has issued recommendations for the state and the adjoining areas. The authority has also mentioned that schools should remain closed for the next 2 days and industries using coal and other such fuels and hot mix plants should remain closed till November 15.

Steps taken to combat pollution

After the pollution levels rose again, the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) deployed water sprinklers in order to curb the situation on Wednesday. The NDMC began the sprinkling process on Feroz Shah Road to settle the dust. These steps were taken after it was noticed that at 11 in the morning, the air quality index (AQI) was 476. Further, at Dhirpur, the air quality was 416 while at Delhi University it was clocked at 433. In the famous Chandni Chowk area of the National Capital, AQI was relatively low with 381, which falls in the very poor category and at Lodhi road, it was 457.

READ | Delhi Pollution: NDMC deploys water sprinklers to settle dust as AQI rises

In consideration of the situation at hand, the locals of the region have also been urging the government to take steps to control it. While interacting with a news agency, the locals at Lodhi Road spoke about the rising levels of pollution and asked the government to take strong steps in the direction of controlling the rising pollution.  A local also said that the pollution has spiked again and that the odd-even scheme should be extended. He also mentioned that it becomes suffocated during morning walks. People have also been pointed out how the situation is worse for those who suffer from respiratory problems.

On a related note, the Supreme Court, on Wednesday, criticised the Centre over deteriorating air quality in Delhi and asked the government to find a solution to the problem of air pollution. It asked the Centre to explore Hydrogen based fuel technology to find a solution to reduce air pollution in North India & Delhi-NCR. In reply to that, the Centre also told the Supreme Court that it is exploring technology, including that from Japan and is trying to tackle air pollution. Further, it has been decided that the Centre will submit a report on the issue by December 3.

READ | Delhi chokes, As AQI plunges to hazardous levels

The Delhi Government, in order to combat the worsening pollution situation, had implemented the odd-even rule from November 4 to November 15 to control the rising pollution levels in the state. The Delhi Chief Minister has repeatedly gone on to blame the burning of stubble by farmers of the neighbouring states to be responsible for smog and rising pollution levels.

READ | IIT-Delhi student falls from hostel building; suicide suspected

READ | Congress' Abhishek Singhvi questions Centre and Delhi Government over rising AQI