Ban On Construction Sites, Tankers To Sprinkle Water: How Delhi Govt Plans To Control Air Pollution

The Delhi government also deployed 114 water tankers to sprinkle water on the roads to settle dust, which is one of the major contributors to air pollution.

Workers spray water to curb air pollution as a thick layer of smog engulfs the national capital following Diwali celebrations in Delhi. (Image: PTI)

New Delhi: A day after the pollution level in the national capital rose to alarming levels, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal-led government on Saturday banned 92 construction sites for violating the norms.

The Delhi government also deployed 114 water tankers to sprinkle water on the roads to settle dust, which is one of the major contributors to air pollution.

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“As an emergency measure, we have started spraying water on roads with the help of anti-smog water tanks to reduce the air pollution. We have also banned 92 construction sites for violating norms,” ANI quoted Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai as saying.

Rai further said the Delhi government is running a campaign to check the local source of air pollution in the city.

This move by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government comes as the air quality in the Delhi remained in the ‘hazardous’ category two days after the Diwali festival.

Many areas in Delhi recorded an AQI of over 600, making the ambient air unsuitable for breathing. The Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC), released the numbers, based on data from the smog towers installed in the city.

This also comes amid reports that the air pollution situation is unlikely to improve till next week amid reports of stubble burning in Punjab and Haryana.

Earlier in August, Kejriwal inaugurated his government's first smog tower in Delhi’s Connaught Place area in an endeavor to fight the rising air pollution in the national capital.