Delhi air pollution: Amid 'Severe' levels of air pollution in New Delhi, the Arvind Kejriwal government on Monday (November 6) said that the Odd-Even vehicle system will be applicable for one week. The initiative, which was implemented in the past as well as a measure to curb air pollution in the city, will be implemented from November 13 to 20, Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai announced.
The decision was taken in the meeting chaired by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal earlier today.
Gopal Rai held a press conference today and said that the government has decided to reimplement the Odd-Even scheme in the city in view of possibility of rise in air pollution on November 12 on the occasion of Diwali.
"There is a ban on crackers, but despite this, there were crackers burst the last time. The police has been instructed to keep a watch on this. I urge the UP and Haryana govt to ban crackers there and monitor it. Keeping in view that pollution can increase after Diwali on November 12, Odd-Even vehicle system will be applicable for one week from 13th to 20th November. A decision to extend the scheme will be made after November 20," Rai said.
The odd-even scheme of the Delhi government is a traffic rationing measure under which vehicles with registration numbers ending with an odd digit will be allowed on roads on odd dates and those with an even digit on even dates.
Pollution might disperse from THIS date
The Minister said that if wind speed clocks 12km/hour, then the pollution might disperse from November 7.
"As per the forecast, the wind speed will be 12km/hour tomorrow, 7th November and if the speed reaches 10 to 12 km/hour, then there is a possibility that the level of pollution accumulated here might disperse. Similarly, the wind speed will be 8-10 km/hour on 8th November. It is expected that the speed of wind will increase on 7th and 8th November which will reduce the level of pollution," he said.
Steps taken by the government to curb pollution
Rai further listed out the steps taken by the government to bring the pollution levels down in the city and said that a complete ban has been imposed on the trucks and other vehicles except light commcercial vehicles.
"To reduce vehicular pollution inside Delhi, challans have been issued under POC violation. During the anti dust campaign within Delhi, 1279 sites have been inspected, more than 1600 complaints have been received through Green Delhi App, most of them have been resolved. 210 firecracker teams have been formed, 345 water sprinklers are working and smog guns are working. There will be a ban on BS3 BS4 vehicles in the third phase of GRAP. Trucks cannot enter Delhi except essential vehicles. There is a ban on all other vehicles except light commercial vehicles. There is also a ban on heavy goods carriers, except essential ones. There will be a ban on construction with no exemptions," he said.
What about the schools?
The Minister announced that classes for standard 6, 7, 8, 9, and 11 will remain closed till November 10 and only classes for standard 10 and 12 will be allowed to be conducted.
Earlier on Sunday (November 5), the Delhi government announced that the primary schools will stay closed in the city till November 10. The Delhi government had on Thursday last week announced that the private as well as government schools will be closed down on Friday and Saturday. In view of the deteriorating air quality situation, the government announced to extend it further.
Delhi continued to be covered in a thick haze as the air quality remains in the 'severe' category, as per the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) on Monday (November 6). Pollution levels in Delhi have remained in the ‘severe’ category for the past few days recording an air quality index (AQI) of above 400 range at several locations in the national capital.
(With ANI inputs)
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