New Delhi (NVI): Aided by continuing winds, the overall air quality in Delhi-NCR improved to “moderate” category today as the air pollution was scheduled to be discussed in Lok Sabha later during the day.
Meanwhile, the central agencies concerned have decided to continue their concerted joint drive for next 15 days, which entails regular monitoring and intensifying the measures that are currently already underway to check the air pollution. This was decided at a meeting between Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, C.K. Mishra with Chief Secretaries of Delhi, Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh to take stock of the air situation here on Monday.
The Delhi-NCR recorded an overall 218 on Air Quality Index early today compared to 211 on Monday, the best in last 12 days as moderate winds countered the effects of stubble burning.
However, according to weather experts the improvement-trend in air quality may be short as the gradual dip in wind speed over the next few days may again revert the pollution to ‘Severe’ level.
Government of India’s air quality information service SAFAR had on Monday said, “The overall Delhi AQI of Delhi improved significantly towards the Moderate category as predicted. However, relief is likely to be short-lived and as per SAFAR-forecast model, winds are going to slow down significantly from tomorrow and may remain very calm on 20th and 21st November.”
Discussions in Lok Sabha
Meanwhile, Congress leader Manish Tewari and Biju Janata Dal’s (BJD) Pinaki Misra are scheduled to initiate a discussion on pollution in the Lok Sabha here in the afternoon today.
Supreme Court Directive
Meanwhile, the Environment Pollution (Prevention & Control) Authority (EPCA) for the National Capital Region, set up in compliance to Supreme Court directive, on Monday asked Delhi and NCR states to step up surveillance and enforcement to check local sources of pollution and crop burning in view of the predicted dip in air quality.
In a letter to the chief secretaries of Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab and Haryana, EPCA Chairman Bhure Lal said hot mix plants, ready mix plants, and stone crushers will continue to remain banned from operating in Delhi-NCR. The apex court had on November 4 banned all construction and demolition activities in the Delhi-NCR region till further notice.
