Delhi govt notifies anti-pollution steps

Delhi environment minister Gopal Rai said the directions were issued under the Environment Protection Act, 1986

The Delhi government’s environment department on Sunday formally issued a notification, putting on hold all construction and demolition projects till November 17, and shutting all educational institutions till November 20, in view of the hazardous levels of air pollution in the national capital.

The notification puts on hold all construction and demolition projects till November 17, and shuts all educational institutions till November 20, in view of the hazardous levels of air pollution in the national capital. (Sanchit Khanna/HT)

Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal announced these measures on Saturday after an emergency meeting to discuss immediate measures to curb rising air pollution. The chief minister’s announcement came hours after the Supreme Court directed the central and Delhi government’s to take “emergent steps” to check pollution, including imposing a two-day lockdown.

All Delhi government offices, corporations and autonomous bodies will remain closed till November 17, the notification said, advising private offices to also allow their employees to work from home in order to reduce vehicular pollution.

Delhi environment minister Gopal Rai said the directions were issued under the Environment Protection Act, 1986.

“The severity of the pollution was quite high on Saturday, compared to which Sunday seems a bit of a relief. However, it has been estimated that the pollution levels are only going to escalate in the coming days and therefore, the Delhi government has decided that all schools, colleges, coaching institutes, skill development and training institutes and libraries will remain shut till November 20. Second, all construction projects and demolitions taking place in Delhi will be halted till November 17. Third, staff of all offices, corporations and autonomous agencies will be expected to work from home for the week,” said Rai on Sunday, adding that a review will be held after November 17, to decide continuation of these measures.