Delhi Air Pollution Updates: AQI in ‘very poor’ zone; govt to submit a proposal for possible lockdown

The Arvind Kejriwal government will submit a proposal in the Supreme Court on Monday for a possible lockdown in Delhi in view of high air pollution levels. Environment Minister Gopal Rai has said that the government will submit a lockdown proposal in court. The measure, he said, is aimed at reducing pollution in the national capital where toxic air poses a deadly health risk. Earlier on Saturday, the Supreme Court had termed the rise in air pollution in Delhi-NCR as ’emergency’ and asked the Centre and the Delhi government to take immediate measures to improve the air quality and suggested steps such as stopping vehicles and clamping a lockdown in the national capital. Although a visible improvement in air quality was recorded on Sunday, the Air Quality Index (AQI) remained in the ‘very poor’ category.

Anti-open burning campaign in Delhi

The Delhi government released a statement, in which it quoted Gopal Rai as saying that on November 9, a high-level meeting was conducted and it was decided that five strict steps will be taken to provide relief to the people of the city from the pollution problem as soon as possible. Gopal Rai said according to a decision taken at the meeting, an anti-open burning campaign will be run from November 11 to December 11.

SC says air pollution in Delhi an ’emergency’ situation

Terming the rise in air pollution in Delhi-NCR an “emergency” situation, the Supreme Court had asked the Centre and the Delhi government on Saturday to take immediate measures to improve the air quality and suggested steps such as stopping vehicles and clamping a lockdown in the national capital.

Work from home for govt employees in Delhi

The government employees of all departments except those involved in emergency services will work from home till November 17. An advisory has also been issued to private firms to allow work from home for their employees as well. The notification said an uninterrupted delivery of public services shall be ensured by all the departments and agencies.

All construction activities closed

The notification issued by the environment secretary of the Delhi government said all construction activities will be closed in the city till November 17 with immediate effect. It said all offices of the Delhi government, autonomous bodies and corporations will remain closed till November 17, except those involved in emergency services such as health and family welfare, medical establishments, police, the environment department, the public works department and the fire department, among others.

News Credit: India TV News