Delhi: All Private Cars will be Stopped if Pollution WorsensTop Stories

October 31, 2018 14:25
Delhi: All Private Cars will be Stopped if Pollution Worsens

(Image source from: www.hellotricity.in)

The Environment Pollution Control Authority (EPCA) on Tuesday said private cars will be stopped from plying in New Delhi if air pollution continues to worsen.

The proclamation came as part of a graded action plan against rising air pollution in the capital.

"Let us hope the air pollution situation in Delhi doesn't deteriorate or else we will have to stop plying of private vehicles. Only public transport will be used," Bhure Lal, Chairman, Environment Pollution Control Authority, was quoted as saying by news agency ANI. 

EPCA, appointed by India's Supreme Court, has already proposed halting construction, usage diesel-run power generators, brick kilns and the burning of garbage amid November 1 and November 10 when pollution levels are predicted to rise. 

Air quality in Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR) on Tuesday worsened further after an overnight rise in Particulate Matter (PM). The comprehensive Air Quality Index (AQI) at 3 p.m. was 401, dropping in the 'severe' category, the highest this season. 

Related Content: India's Air Quality Slides to Worst Possible Category

An Air Quality Index between 0 and 50 is reckoned 'good', 51 and 100 'satisfactory', 101 and 200 'moderate', 201 and 300 'poor', 301 and 400 'very poor', and 401 and 500 'severe'. 

The Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM) said that the prevailing meteorological conditions are to a lesser extent favorable for dispersal of pollutants for the following two days due to moderate ventilation index and low wind speed. 

The data said seventeen areas of the national capital recorded severe air quality.

The city's AQI was 398 points against 367 points on Monday and 366 on Sunday and in the "severe" category. 

The AQI for Ghaziabad was worst in the entire NCR region at 444 points, up by 14 points from Monday and remains in the "severe" category. In Gurugram, the AQI was 422, whereas it was 410 in Noida. 

According to the Central Pollution Control Board, for severe air quality, PM2.5 must be between 250-300 or PM10 between 430-500. 

The Centre-run System of Air Quality Forecasting And Research (SAFAR) ascribed "heavy stubble burning in the last 24 hours and calm winds as the reason behind the further deterioration of air capital. 

The SAFAR said about 28 percent of pollution by PM2.5 (presence of particles in the air with a diameter of fewer than 2.5 micrometers) on Tuesday was caused due to regional factors like stubble burning. 

Related Content: Over 90% of Children Under 15 Breathe Toxic Air: WHO

In the meantime, according to a WHO report, more than one lakh children under five years of age died in India in 2016 due to vulnerability to deadly air. The report noted that around 98 percent of children in the same age group in low and middle-income countries were open to air pollution.

-Sowmya Sangam

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