New Delhi (NVI): The Delhi-National Capital Region continued to reel under health emergency with its air quality remaining in “severe” category for fifth consecutive day today.
According to government’s air quality information service SAFAR, the overall air quality index in Delhi this morning was recorded at an alarming 505 under “severe” category, which means that the condition has only deteriorated a notch since yesterday when the overall AQI was at 482.
The AQI near Lodhi Road in wee hours today stood at 521(PM10) and 599(PM2.5).
In one of Delhi’s busiest areas, Chandi Chowk, the AQI at 6:30 AM today was recorded at 471 (PM10) and 504 (PM2.5), which fall under the “Severe” category.
In the neighbouring city, Ghaziabad, which is also considered as the most-polluted city in the country, the overall AQI was 500 at 6 AM.
In Noida too, the situation was no better as the AQI stood at 500 (PM10) and 471 (PM2.5)
Decision on Odd-Even extension tomorrow
Amid criticism of Odd-Even vehicle rationing on Delhi roads, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal had yesterday said that a final call on the extension of this rule will be taken on Monday.
The road rotation scheme that ended on November 15 had commenced on November 4. However, for two days — November 11-12, the Odd-Even restrictions were lifted due to the celebration of the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev.
Schools remained closed on Thursday and Friday in the wake of air pollution.
SC summons Chief Secretaries of NCR states
The Supreme Court yesterday issued fresh orders to summon the chief secretaries of NCR states, asking them to appear before the court on November 25 to explain why appropriate steps have not yet been taken.
“Drastic steps are required to be taken by all concerned working in tandem and to cooperate with each other as it is not an adversarial litigation. Let the authorities concerned discharge their duties in view of Doctrine of Public Trust and rise to the occasion to take care of the pollution which is being caused” the apex court said.
“Why cannot we have a clean Delhi? Evergreen and ever clean?” the SC said and directed the authorities to clear the 13 pollution hotspots in the national capital within a week.
-nad
