Delhi Air Pollution: DDMA Allows Standing Passengers In Metro Trains & Buses, Know About Limit Set

Delhi Air Pollution: Authorities said that the AQI is likely to improve significantly from Sunday owing to relatively strong winds.

Representative Photo

New Delhi: The Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) on Friday permitted standing passengers in Metro trains and buses to increase the carrying capacity of the public transport systems.

This decision is taken to encourage more people to use public transport instead of private vehicles in view of the prevailing air pollution.

In the latest order, the DDMA stated that 30 standing passengers will be allowed in each Metro train coach. In Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) and Cluster buses, the maximum number of passengers allowed to travel in standing position will be 50 per cent of the seating capacity.

So far, Metro trains and buses in Delhi were allowed to run with a hundred per cent seating capacity only to reduce crowding to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Photo Courtesy: ANI

Meanwhile, according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), Delhi’s air quality remained in the “very poor” category on Saturday as the Air Quality Index (AQI) in the city was recorded at 374.

Authorities said that the AQI is likely to improve significantly from Sunday owing to relatively strong winds, news agency PTI reported.

The AQI in the national capital was recorded at 377 on Saturday morning. It was slightly better on Friday at 370, as per the CPCB.

The AQI in neighbouring Ghaziabad (346), Gurgaon (348), Noida (357), Greater Noida (320) and Faridabad (347) was also recorded in the "very poor" category.

An AQI between zero and 50 is considered “good”, 51 and 100 “satisfactory”, 101 and 200 “moderate”, 201 and 300 “poor”, 301 and 400 “very poor”, and 401 and 500 “severe”.

Earlier, in view of air pollution, the Delhi government had announced a ban on the entry of trucks carrying non-essential items into the city and a closure of schools and colleges till further orders.

(With Agency Inputs)