Air Pollution News LIVE: Polluting Vehicles Entering Delhi Borders, Minister Kailash Gahlot Writes To Chief Secy
Air Pollution News LIVE Updates: Hello and welcome to ABP Live Delhi Pollution Live Blog. Follow this space for all the latest developments on Delhi pollution.
Raj Niwas officials stated Tuesday that the dossier on GRAP stage IV implementation they gave to the lieutenant governor indicates no decision has been made on the odd-even automobile rationing plan, accusing the AAP administration in Delhi of deceiving the courts and the public, news agency PTI reported. However, Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai stated that the decision to implement the odd-even plan was made on November 6 and that the file in question was handed to LG VK Saxena for clearance on November 4. He claimed that personnel were "misleading" Saxena, and said that the transport department will send the paperwork on the scheme's execution to the LG.
Delhi Transport Minister Kailash Gahlot writes to Chief Secretary Naresh Kumar; writes: "It has come to my notice that polluting vehicles are entering Delhi borders at odd hours from neighbouring states without any hindrance. It appears that no checking is being done at the borders to restrict the entry of such polluting vehicles into Delhi; requests proper checking of polluting vehicles whose entry is restricted as per Stage IV of GRAP."
The Supreme Court ruled on Tuesday that the prohibition on barium-containing firecrackers applies to all states and is not confined to the Delhi-NCR area, which is suffering from severe air pollution, PTI reported.
Delhi Mayor Shelly Oberoi says working together is needed to tackle with the issue of pollution rather than indulging in blame game.
"In MCD, around 517 teams have been formed in which more than 1100 workers as well as officials have been deployed...At ground level intense water sprinkling is being done in the morning and evening shifts through water sprinklers, anti-smog guns, and jetting machines. 13 hotspots were also identified...The best part is in the last three days...AQI has improved and pollution level has decreased," she says.
A farmer from Mamdot of Firozepur District where stubble is being burned says, "We don't get labour to cut the stubble. The smoke from the burning stubble affects us first and later other people. The government should give us some compensation."
Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai holds a meeting with Transport Minister Kailash Gehlot and officers from the concerned Departments at Delhi Secretariat to formulate the plan of implementing the Odd-Even scheme in Delhi.
The Bharatiya Janata Party blamed Punjab for the pollution occuring in Delhi after Supreme Court asked Punjab to stop stubble burning.
"Supreme Court'a verdict has made it clear that pollution is increasing in Delhi because of Punjab," said BJP national general secretary Dushyant Gautam.
"AAP made false promises to provide chemicals as a substitute for stubble burning. I welcome the order of the court..." he added.
The Supreme Court has asked the Chief Secretaries of concerned states to hold a physical or online meeting over the issue of pollution.
The Supreme Court noted that a smog tower installed as per its earlier order was not working and directed the government to ensure its repair.
The Supreme Court on Tuesday asked the Punjab government to stop stubble burning adding that there can't be political battle all the time. “We want it (stubble burning) stopped. We don't know how you do it, it’s your job. But it must be stopped. Something has to be done immediately,” SC told Punjab government.
A morning walker in Ghaziabad criticised the government for doing nothing to tackle the situation of pollution in the city. "There is irritation in the eyes, and the breathing rate has increased...The situation is dangerous... The government is doing nothing for this. The government should come forward and take all possible measures," said the Ghaziabad resident.
Air quality continues to remain in the "poor" category in Ghaziabad according to the data by the Central Pollution Control Board.
"It is becoming difficult to breathe... Everyone is suffering... Instead of doing politics, the government should take strong steps for this," says a Delhi resident, Ramnik Khullar while speaking to news agency ANI.
"It is becoming difficult to breathe... Everyone is suffering... Instead of doing politics, the government should take strong steps for this," says a Delhi resident, Ramnik Khullar while speaking to news agency ANI.
A thick layer of smog continues to linger over the national capital as the air quality continues to remain in the "severe" category.
A thick layer of haze covers Mumbai in the morning as the air quality degrades in the city.
With GRAP IV restrictions imposed in Delhi-NCR, the entry of trucks carrying non-essential items into the capital from Noida is banned and curbs have been placed on plying of BS-III (petrol) and BS-IV (diesel) vehicles in Gautam Buddh Nagar.The restrictions have come into force as per Stage IV of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) implemented by the Centre's Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) on November 5, amid severe pollution levels in the region and growing health concerns, the traffic police here said on Monday. (PTI)
Nishant Kumar Yadav, District Deputy Commissioner says, "The AQI in Gurugram continues to be above 350 for the last 2-3 days and in 'very poor' category. Small children and senior citizens are facing more problems so we have decided to stop offline classes for grades till 5. We have ordered online classes for them. This is applicable to both private and govt schools. This will continue till further orders" (ANI)
"Children are more susceptible to pollution as they are closer to the ground and breathe faster. According to an Asthma study in 2019, it stated that every third child has damaged lungs. So, simply avoiding going out or staying indoors isn't going to solve the issue. The government should come up with ways to address this major problem," says environmentalist Bhawreen Khandari, on the alarming spike in Delhi's pollution levels. (PTI)
Delhi's average air quality recorded in the 'Severe' category at 421 in the last 24 hours, ANI reported.
Delhi: On the increase in patients with respiratory problems, former AIIMS Director and Senior Pulmonologist Dr Randeep Guleria says, "The no. of patients has increased from 15-20%. This increase is indirectly related to air pollution...This is a chronic respiratory issue that we see every year. And this time every year, admission in the hospitals increases..."
"High-risk groups like women and children, and the people with co-morbidities, chronic respiratory problem, heart problem, low immunity, such people need to be extra cautious. They should remain indoors and not leave the house... They should use a mask if going out is necessary... They should leave the house during the day because, in the Sun, the ground level pollution is comparatively low because the pollutants rise because of the heat... Senior citizens are advised to not go for morning walks in the early morning or late evening... Air purifiers are not as effective... They may not be very beneficial... Air Purifier may be a temporary solution," he told ANI.
Delhi environment minister Gopal Rai said that schools have been directed to suspend physical classes, barring classes 10 and 12, until Nov 10. However, he said, that a call on work-for-home order for 50 per cent of staff in govt and private offices in Delhi will be taken later.
Delhi minister Gopal Rai said, "In view of air pollution, the Odd-Even vehicle system will be applicable for one week from 13th to 20th November..."
The Supreme Court on Monday refused to entertain a plea seeking the setting up of a permanent expert committee at the district level for assessment of pollution. A bench headed by Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud called the matter a policy issue and dismissed the plea, reported PTI.
"Do you think pollution is going to end if we have committees all over districts across the country," the bench also comprising Justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra said, as quoted by PTI.
On stubble-burning, Punjab Minister Harpal Singh Cheema says, "The BJP is maligning Punjab's image under a well-fabricated conspiracy. In fact, most stubble-burning is happening in the states like Haryana and Uttar Pradesh, which are ruled by them. First, they should take action against them... The cases of stubble burning have declined in Punjab... It is increasing in Haryana, UP and other states... We are moving towards diversification... We are giving subsidies to the farmers to grow different crops..."
Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal is chairing a high-level meeting on pollution in the Delhi Secretariat. Ministers Gopal Rai, Atishi, Saurabh Bhardwaj and officers from the concerned departments are also present in the meeting.
On pollution in Delhi, Congress leader Pramod Tiwari says, "This is not the first time that this problem has arisen... Promises are being made every year... Earlier, there was a Congress government in Punjab, so you used to make allegations... Now there is your government... Today, when people in Delhi are compelled to get suffocated, you are going to do a meeting... The central government is busy with election campaigning. BJP and AAP are responsible for the pain that people in Delhi and nearby areas are facing..."
Delhi Fire Services sprinkle water in the Hotspot areas of the national capital to curb pollution. Sprinklers have been put in action near Arun Jaitley stadium ahead of today's cricket world cup match between Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.
Stubble burning continues in Punjab's Fizorpur.
A farmer Gurnaib Singh told ANI, "Burning stubble is not my hobby, but I am helpless. The government should find a solution to this. We do not want to burn stubble but we are helpless... The government has not been successful in tackling the issue of stubble burning...Our children and family also stay here, and they are at risk too but we cannot do anything, we are helpless..."
Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai says, "...There is a little improvement in Delhi's AQI as compared to yesterday but it is still in the severe category. Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal has called a meeting to make decisions on how to control pollution in Delhi...There will be discussions on the implementation of GRAP-4 in the meeting called by Delhi CM today..."
On the concern of pollution, Delhi BJP secretary Harish Khuranna says that stubble burning in Punjab is one of the biggest reasons for the rising levels of pollution in the national capital.
On Delhi's pollution, AAP's National Spokesperson Priyanka Kakkar says, "...According to CAQM, there is 50-67 per cent reduction in stubbing burning in Punjab. The stubble burning in Punjab is about 500 km away from here and the stubble burning in Haryana is 100 km away..."
Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal calls a high-level meeting at the Delhi Secretariat on the issue of increasing pollution. Environment Minister Gopal Rai and other officials of all concerned departments will attend this meeting.
Amid rising pollution, a morning walker, Deepak Kumar, says, "We will have to do something to control pollution... If this keeps on increasing, the lives of people will be reduced by 12 to 14 years... To reduce this, diesel vehicles are already banned. Some other actions should also be taken. Stubble burning is increasing. This is not a mistake of farmers... The government will have to do something about it. There is difficulty in breathing and itching in the eyes..."
Background
Delhi Pollution News LIVE: Hello and welcome to ABP Live Delhi Pollution Live Blog. Follow this space for all the latest developments on Delhi pollution.
Air quality across the Delhi-NCR and adjoining states continues to deteriorate with most recording 'Ver Poor' air quality as thick, toxic haze engulfed the cities' skyline. Delhi recorded 'severe' air quality with AQI at 436, as per CPCB data (8 am). The final and fourth stage of the Centre's Graded Action Response Plan (GRAP) has been enforced in the region to combat the rising pollution levels.
The Centre's action comes as part of Stage III of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) -- the Centre's air pollution control plan which is implemented in the region during the winter season. GRAP categorises actions into four stages: Stage I - 'poor' (AQI 201-300); Stage II - 'very poor' (AQI 301-400); Stage III - 'severe' (AQI 401-450); and Stage IV - 'severe plus' (AQI above 450).
The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change that NCR State Governments and the Delhi Government may consider discontinuing physical classes for students in classes VI to IX and class XI. Instead, they are advised to conduct lessons in an online mode to protect students from the harmful effects of air pollution.
State Governments have also been advised to consider the closure of colleges and educational institutions to protect students and staff from the health risks associated with poor air quality.
Doctors have advised residents in Delhi and other states like Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Punjab to remain indoors and go about only if necessary. Work from home has been advised for 50 percent of employees in Delhi whereas Gurugram DC has ordered the Residents Welfare Associations (RWAs) to install sprinklers apart from other pollution-controlling measures.
With numbers only going low as far as air pollution is concerned, state governments have begun deploying sprinklers to reduce the pollutants present in the air.
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