New Delhi: In response to the escalating air pollution crisis in Delhi, Environment Minister Gopal Rai announced on Wednesday that the city’s government will enforce a ban on construction activities in regions where the air quality index (AQI) surpasses the critical 400 mark for five consecutive days.
During a press briefing, Rai emphasised that Delhi’s Air Quality Index (AQI) has consistently hovered around 350 over the past several days. “These conditions are expected to persist for the next few days, making the next fortnight crucial for Delhi,” Rai said.
Rai emphasised that despite the Central government’s efforts in implementing Stage 2 measures to control air pollution, Delhi’s pollution levels persist in their upward trend. Therefore, the Delhi government has decided to suspend construction activities within a one-kilometre radius of areas where the AQI exceeds 400 for a continuous period of five days.
The minister highlighted that maintaining air quality at acceptable levels is crucial. He stated that he has directed nodal officers to rigorously enforce measures aimed at controlling air pollution in affected regions. According to the Air Quality Index (AQI) scale, readings between zero and 50 are considered “good”, 51 to 100 fall under “satisfactory”, 101 to 200 are deemed “moderate”, 201 to 300 are classified as “poor”, 301 to 400 as “very poor”, and 401 to 500 as “severe”.
In a move to curb biomass burning, the government has instructed various departments and residential associations to provide heaters to security personnel.
In addition, Rai announced plans to bolster public transportation by contracting 1,000 private CNG buses. This initiative aims to enhance urban mobility while curbing vehicular pollution. Furthermore, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi has been directed to incorporate dust suppressants in their water sprinklers as a measure to combat dust pollution.