CAPITAL GASPS: Construction banned till November 10

As Delhi’s battle with fast deteriorating air quality continues unabated, the Supreme Court mandated Environment Pollution Control Authority (EPCA) started with emergency measures from Thursday. Pressed into execution two days after the Air Quality Index breached the 400 mark, turning severe, the steps have banned all construction activity from November 1. The pollution was let up marginally on Wednesday even though it remained in the ‘very poor’ category.

The EPCA has stopped all construction activities involving excavation and civil construction (excluding internal finishing/work where no construction material is used) till November 10. Among the other stringent steps taken by the body to combat pollution, the EPCA has instructed all stone crushers and hot mix plants generating dust pollution in Delhi and other NCR districts to shut down till November 10. Brick kilns have also been closed starting Thursday till November 10 as the EPCA tries to reign in toxic smog. The industrial area of Mundka, which competes with Anand Vihar as one of the most polluted areas in the national capital, has also been closed till 10 so that all the debris of plastic, rubber and other waste is removed by North Delhi Municipal Corporation, based on the EPCA’s inspection and directions. The Delhi Pollution Control Committee has also directed the transport department and traffic police to intensify checking of polluting vehicles and control congestion in Delhi and other NCR districts till November 10.

Meanwhile, the Delhi government said that it may bring back Odd Even scheme if the situation does not improve. The Odd Even scheme is part of emergency measures under the Graded Response Action Plan(GRAP) formulated by the EPCA. It was brought into effect from October 15.

In addition, all state governments have set up teams to patrol and impose fines on violators for garbage burning; industrial air pollution; dust mismanagement and visibly polluting vehicles. The EPCA also sought help from the public, urging them to reduce use of private vehicles in this period, by taking public transport or other means. It said that as per the latest report of the Union government, vehicles contribute some 40 per cent of the pollution in Delhi city.

ODD-EVEN SCHEME

The Delhi government said that it may bring back Odd Even scheme if the situation does not improve. The Odd Even scheme is part of emergency measures under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) formulated by the EPCA. It was brought into effect from October 15