New Delhi: Amid the worsening air quality in the national capital, Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai on Monday said that the government is taking all necessary measures to tackle air pollution and will implement additional steps, including odd-even vehicle rationing scheme after expert advice and based on requirements.
Addressing a press conference in the national capital as the Air Quality Index (AQI) in the national capital breached the “severe-plus” category, Gopal Rai said the Delhi government is taking all necessary steps to address the situation.
In response to a question about the odd-even scheme in Delhi, the environment minister said, “From our side, the Delhi government is taking all the necessary steps at our level. We are monitoring everything closely and making decisions on a daily basis. We will consult experts and take all required measures.”
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Delhi’s air quality plummeted to alarming levels on Monday, leaving people gasping for breath with itchy eyes and sore throats as the AQI stood at 494, the second-worst in the last six years. Moreover, 15 monitoring stations saw AQI levels reaching the maximum limit of 500.
The city’s 24-hour AQI, recorded at 4 pm, was the highest in the country, up from 441 the previous day, according to data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).
The odd-even scheme, first introduced in 2016 by the AAP government to control vehicular pollution and reduce rising particulate matter levels, alternates vehicle usage based on registration numbers. Under the scheme, vehicles with registration numbers ending in even digits (0, 2, 4, 6, 8) are allowed on the roads on even dates, while those with registration numbers ending in odd digits (1, 3, 5, 7, 9) are permitted on odd dates.
The scheme operates from 8 am to 8 pm, restricting vehicular movement based on this alternating pattern.
Doctors and medical experts have raised concerns about health risks, cautioning that the toxic air can harm not just vulnerable groups but also healthy individuals.
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The Supreme Court came down heavily on authorities in Delhi and NCR over the emergency situation and flagged the delay in implementation of stricter measures under the fourth stage of anti-pollution measure GRAP.
Earlier in the day, Gpoal Rai said that the state government is taking all possible steps to ensure strict implementation of GRAP. He also urged the centre to take emergency measures so that the North India can be saved from the situation.
“At its level, Delhi govt is taking all possible steps. We have directed all officials to ensure strict implementation of GRAP (Graded Response Action Plan) IV guidelines. I demand that the Central government take emergency measures so that the whole of north India can be saved from this situation,” Gopal Rai said.
Since Sunday morning, the Air Quality in the national capital has breached the 450 level multiple times, with the severe plus level crossed by Monday afternoon. At this level of pollution, wearing an N95 mask is not an option but a necessity.
