Air Pollution
Will Odd-Even Return? Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal Asks People To Participate In Fighting Air Pollution
Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said that the Delhi government is taking several steps to combat air pollution and if need be, the government is willing to bring back the car rationing ‘Odd-Even’ scheme to regulate plying of vehicles in the capital
New Delhi: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal indicated that Odd-Even scheme that regulates the vehicular traffic on road to check air pollution, may make come back if the need arises. Delhi-NCR (National Capital Region) woke up to a cold foggy Christmas morning, the fourth consecutive day of ‘severe’ air pollution level. According to the System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting And Research (SAFAR), Delhi-NCR is facing its highest pollution level since Diwali. Pollution in the NCR has reached alarming levels and is unlikely to improve significantly over the next week also. A further dip in minimum temperatures is expected to send the pollutants in the air soaring, said SAFAR.
In view of the city’s ‘severe’ air quality, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said the Delhi government is taking several steps for reducing pollution levels in the national capital. Mr. Kejriwal said,
We’re taking a number of steps like tree-plantation drives and buying 3,000 buses etc. We sanctioned one of largest metro phases yesterday. If the need arises, we’ll implement the odd-even scheme to regulate plying of private vehicles in the city.
The odd-even scheme is a part of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), emergency measures implemented in phases to combat air pollution. The scheme was first introduced in Delhi in 2015.
He further said that that each individual has to play a role in reducing pollution to combat air pollution. He said,
The state government is making all efforts on its part but we all have to be participants in reducing pollution from the environment.
Mr. Kejriwal asserted that his government has urged the Union government to call a meeting of neighbouring states as “air has no boundary”. He said,
In October and November, there are around 20-25 days when pollution level increases in Delhi due to stubble burning (in neighbouring states). Until the Centre takes steps, nothing can be done.
Delhi, ranked among the world’s worst cities in air quality, has been recording severe levels of air pollution since Saturday. The Air Quality Index (AQI) recorded by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) was 421 on Saturday, while the safe limit is 100. On Sunday, the national capital recorded its second-highest pollution level this year with an AQI of 450. On Monday it was 448 and on Tuesday the AQI of Delhi recorded by CPCB was 409 at 4pm.
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”. Anything above that is considered “hazardous”.
Even in the NCR, Faridabad, Ghaziabad, and Noida recorded severe pollution while Gurgaon recorded ‘very poor’ quality air.
According to the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM) and SAFAR, the wind speed and ventilation index are highly unfavourable for dispersion of pollutants. Ventilation index is the speed at which pollutants can get dispersed. The index on Tuesday was 5,000 sqm/second on Tuesday, the IITM said. A ventilation index lower than 6,000 sqm/second, with average wind speed less than 10 kmph (kilometre per hour), is unfavourable for dispersion of pollutants.
The Supreme Court-appointed Environment Pollution Control Authority (EPCA) on Monday banned industrial activities in pollution hot spots of Wazirpur, Mundka, Narela, Bawana, Sahibabad and Faridabad and construction work across Delhi-NCR till Wednesday.
The agencies concerned have also been asked to ensure strict action against illegal industries and make all efforts to control polluting activities, particularly waste burning.
The EPCA has directed traffic police to deploy special teams and ensure congestion-free vehicular movement, particularly in identified high traffic corridors.
In a health advisory, SAFAR has recommended frequent wet mopping and has asked citizens of Delhi not to rely on common dust masks for protection and use N-95 or P-100 respirators only for outdoor activities. The agency has advised people to avoid all outdoor activities, such as taking walks. It said,
If the room has windows, close them, if the air conditioner provides a fresh air intake option then choose it, avoid burning anything such as wood, candle or even incense.
Also Read: Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal Directs Agencies To Take Steps To Curb Air Pollution In Delhi
(With Inputs from PTI)
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