Delhi pollution: Air quality in Delhi has plunged sharply since Diwali.
The Central Pollution Control Board has declared a public health emergency in Delhi and nearby areas as the region chokes due to rising air pollution levels since Diwali. The Environment Pollution (Prevention and Control) Authority has banned construction activity till November 5 as the pollution levels entered the "severe plus" or "emergency" category late Thursday night, the first time since January. The pollution authority has also banned the bursting of crackers during the winter season. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal today described the city as a "gas chamber" while distributing breathing masks to school children.
Here are the highlights on declining air quality in Delhi:
The blanket of haze over Delhi thickened on Friday morning with the national capital's pollution levels increasing overnight by around 50 points, taking the overall air quality index to 459. A Central Pollution Control Board official said the AQI entered the "severe plus" or "emergency" category late Thursday night, the first time since January this year. According to official data, the overall AQI was 582 at 12.30 am. If the air quality persists in the "severe plus" category for more than 48 hours, emergency measures such as odd-even car rationing scheme, banning entry of trucks, construction activities and shutting down schools are taken under the Graded Response Action Plan, the official said.
"I went to a school today and when I asked children how many of them have burst crackers only 15-20% children said they burst crackers. It is extremely unfortunate that people on social media some opposition leaders were inciting children to burst more crackers,"said Arvind Kejriwal.
People of Delhi are also working to ensure reduced pollution. Opposition parties are blaming the people of Delhi, don't think it is right. Entire blame being put on Delhi-ites, not right. 1-day fast is a joke, shows they don't realize how serious the problem is. Cursing people of Delhi won't lead to reduced pollution levels.
There is smoke everywhere, the sky is filled with smoke. Those who say that farm fires aren't to blame, I want to ask them, what changed between end Sept to now? Did cars increase on roads? No? Crop fires aiding Delhi pollution. We are trying our best. Concerned about the health of people.
This is how Delhi's sky looked on September 30, and this is how Delhi's sky looks now. So what changed in 1 month except for stubble burning?, says Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal.
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, who is struggling to deal with rising air pollution levels in the national capital, today described the city as a "gas chamber" while distributing breathing masks to school children. In strongly-worded posts on social media, Mr Kejriwal also blamed the governments of neighbouring states - Haryana and Punjab - for "forcing farmers to burn stubble" that he said had led to the problem in Delhi.
School Children Seen Wearing Protective Masks
Schools In Delhi To Be Closed Till November 5, Arvind Kejriwal Tweets
"Due to the rising level of pollution, the government has decided that all the schools in Delhi will remain closed till 5 November," Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal tweeted.
What A Graded Response Action Plan Will Do
If the air quality persists in the "severe plus" category for more than 48 hours, emergency measures such as odd-even car rationing scheme, banning entry of trucks, construction activities and shutting down schools are taken under the Graded Response Action Plan.
Women Seen Wearing Protection Masks
Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal Giving Masks To School Students