Last Update: December 20, 2022, 12:59 pm IST
Delhi’s air quality entered the severe category on Monday with the 24-hour average AQI at 410 at 4 pm. (Representational photo: Reuters)
He said that 611 teams of Delhi Pollution Control Committee, Municipal Corporation of Delhi, Revenue Department and other government agencies will take action at the ground level.
Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai has directed officials to launch a 10-day special anti-open combustion campaign in the national capital starting Tuesday in view of the rise in air pollution.
Delhi’s air quality entered the severe category on Monday and reached its 24-hour average level. AQI Stood on 410 at 4 p.m. The pollution level in the overall AQI improved to very poor category and was recorded at 376 at 11 am on Tuesday.
An AQI between 0 and 50 is considered good, 51 and 100 satisfactory, 101 and 200 moderate, 201 and 300 poor, 301 and 400 very poor, and 401 and 500 severe. Rai tweeted, “In view of increasing pollution, the authorities have been instructed to run a ‘special campaign against open burning’ for the next 10 days.”
He said that 611 teams of Delhi Pollution Control Committee, Municipal Corporation of Delhi, Revenue Department and other government agencies would take action on the ground.
The minister also appealed to all agencies and resident welfare associations in Delhi to provide heaters to the staff and guards on night duty.
The Centre’s air quality panel on Monday decided not to impose restrictions under Phase III of the anti-air pollution action plan despite the situation in the national capital deteriorating to the ‘severe’ category.
The sub-committee of the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) to implement anti-pollution measures under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) said that the sudden increase in air pollution levels was temporary.
In an order, the panel said, “Since the forecast does not predict any deterioration and the overall AQI of Delhi is predicted to improve further from tonight/tomorrow, the GRAP sub-committee has unanimously decided to increase the overall AQI under Phase III.” Have decided not to implement the sanctions.” If the AQI is expected to reach the severe category, preventive action under Stage III should be initiated at least three days in advance, according to GRAP.
Restrictions under Phase III include closure of non-essential construction and demolition, stone crushers and mining activities in Delhi-NCR.
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