Delhi smog: AAP govt moves NGT seeking review of directives on Odd-Even, hearing likely tomorrow

Schools in Delhi reopened on Monday despite no relief from the smog that has blanketed the city for a week with the air quality staying in hazardous which environmental agencies consider unfit for inhalation even by healthy people.

The capital saw a foggy Monday morning with the minimum temperature at 12.4 degrees Celsius, a notch below the season's average.

The national capital has been experiencing dense smog for the past a few days, forcing authorities to enforce emergency measures such as banning construction activities and brick kilns due to worsening air pollution. 

The "odd-even" rationing of cars, which was scheduled to begin on Monday, was however deferred by the Delhi government after the National Green Tribunal (NGT) ordered the withdrawal of exemptions given to women and two-wheelers under the scheme. 

The Delhi government has said that it would appeal before the NGT on Monday seeking modification of the green court's order. Earlier today, the green court had rebuked the city government over its no-show, wondering if its statement of filing a review petition on odd-even was for media consumption alone.

Responding to the NGT's observation, the AAP government said that it will file a review petition in the tribunal today and that the day wasn't over yet. "We said we will file the plea today. Does today mean 9 am only?" said Naginder Sharma, media advisor to the Delhi chief minister. 

Meanwhile, a plea was filed before the Supreme Court on Monday seeking immediate action against stubble burning and construction dust. A bench of the Chief Justice of India (CJI) bench will hear the matter at the end of the board today. 

Schools in Delhi reopened today after being for closed for three days due to severe smog. Schools in Gurgaon, however, will stay close even today.

Heavy smog has brought down visibility in Delhi and neighbouring districts, affecting the movement of rail traffic. Eight trains have been cancelled, 22 rescheduled and 69 are running late due to the shallow fog in northern India, railway officials in Delhi said. 

The Rejandra Nagar Terminal-New Delhi Sampoorna Kranti Express was delayed by over 24 hours while the Sitamarhi-Anand Vihar Lichavi Express was delayed by over 25 hours.

The cancelled trains include -- New Delhi-Varanasi Mahanama Express, Delhi-Azamgarh Kaifiyat Express, Anand Vihar-Mau Express, Sriganganagar-Delhi Intercity, Delhi-Fazlika Intercity, Delhi-Alipurdwar Mahananda Express and Raxual-Delhi Sadbhawana Express.

According to the Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL), no flights were delayed or cancelled.

The pollution monitoring authorities said there may be some respite from today evening from smog and pollution as surface winds will gain momentum. 

"The sky will remain mainly clear during the day with moderate fog in the morning," the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said. 

Humidity at 8.30 a.m. was 93 per cent and visibility was 400 metres. 

Light rains have been predicted in the national capital on November 14 and 15, which, the MeT officials say, could clear the smog, giving some relief to Delhiites. 

The MeT department has forecasted moderate fog in the morning and mostly clear sky during the day. 

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