Air pollution may lead to ban on private vehicles in Delhi
The CPCB has already recommended a ban on the movement of trucks and construction activity during the night given the public health emergency due to severe pollution levels
By DTE Staff
Last Updated: Monday 12 November 2018
A Delhi Metro shrouded in smog (Credit: Getty Images)
The Environment Pollution (Prevention & Control) Authority (EPCA) on Monday evening received recommendations from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) to deal with the very poor-severe level of air pollution in Delhi.
The CPCB Task Force has recommended that in light of poor dispersion, low temperatures and high humidity during the night, construction and truck traffic (in Delhi) may be permitted only during the day (between 6am and 6pm).
EPCA is of the view that if the weather remains adverse and air quality remains in the very poor or severe category or deteriorates there is no other option but to direct for a complete stop on the use of private and commercial vehicles, other than those plying on the much-less polluting CNG.
The current level of pollution is extremely hazardous for health and it is expected that winds will pick up in the coming day and there is also a possibility of light rain on Tuesday and Wednesday, which will bring down the pollution. This came out after the situation was reviewed by EPCA and it discussed it with CPCB officials and scientists of SAFAR-IMD.
If that does not happen, then the emergency measures taken under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) would be extended to a ban on private vehicles apart from the ones on construction activities at night as also the movement of trucks. The modalities of how best to allow trucks during the day without causing congestion are still being worked out but EPCA is in full agreement that construction activities at night should be halted immediately.
प्रदूषण से जुड़ी सभी खबरें हिंदी में पढ़ें।
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