This Article is From Dec 04, 2014

Air Purifiers to Be Installed at Public Places in Delhi

Air Purifiers to Be Installed at Public Places in Delhi

In this October 24 photograph, a sweeper cleans a flyover as smog covers the skyline the morning after Diwali celebrations in New Delhi (AFP photo)

New Delhi: The National Green Tribunal (NGT) today ordered the installation of air filters and purifiers around schools, colleges, markets, parks and all other areas where people come together in large numbers in the capital.

Alarmed with the rising air pollution levels, the Tribunal, which is hearing a petition filed by a Delhi-based lawyer Kaushik Vardhaman, today also said that there was "no going back" on its order banning 15-year-old vehicles from Delhi's roads in a bid to improve air quality.

Justice Swatanter Kumar, chairperson of the NGT, observed, "the ban on 15-year-old vehicles may cause some hardship to individuals but this must give way to the greater benefits to the public interns of cleaner environment and health, both fundamental rights guaranteed under the constitution."

The NGT remarked that those found burning waste and dry leaves in the open would be severely dealt with. They can face fines ranging from Rs 20,000 to Rs 1 lakh depending on the nature of the offence. Following its directions, the Delhi Pollution Control Committee said that it would today launch a Facebook page and a Whatsapp number to enable citizens to take pictures of violations.

Officials from Delhi, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan have also been asked to measure air quality and pollution levels during peak and non-peak hours in the National Capital Region area. They have to also identify the times when pollution levels are within safe levels for citizens to venture out and submit the findings to the NGT at the next hearing.

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