Delhi Pollution Highlights: Decision on further closure of schools on Nov 6

Delhi lieutenant governor VK Saxena held a meeting with environment minister Gopal Rai in view of severe air quality in the national capital on Friday. The meeting, chaired by the LG, could not be attended by chief minister Arvind Kejriwal who was out of New Delhi.

Several interim measures were taken during the meeting to curb the rising air pollution in the city.

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As many as 39 violations of GRAP III were recorded in Noida and penalties worth ₹24.30 lakh were imposed on offenders, including real estate developers, on Friday, officials said.

As many as 26 challans were issued by the Noida authority, while 13 cases were recorded by the Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board (Noida office).

Delhi Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena held a meeting with Environment Minister Gopal Rai amid severe air pollution in the city on Friday, in which a decision was taken to appeal neighbouring states, particularly Punjab, to check paddy stubble burning.

The meeting also decided to adopt interim measures such as issuing advisories by the Environment department asking people, especially children and the elderly, to take extra care and remain indoors as far as possible, preparedness by the Health department and optimal use of mechanised road sweepers, water sprinklers and anti-smog guns.

As the air quality in the National Capital continues to deteriorate, the smog tower which was inaugurated in 2021 at a cost of ₹20 crores in Connaught Place is locked up and not operational.

The air quality in the national capital turned 'severe' on Friday morning with Mundka recording the highest Air Quality Index (498).

"We had detailed talks to ensure that the measures taken to control pollution are implemented strictly. We also discussed about the officials who missed the previous meetings and requested that the senior officials join the meeting, cooperate and work actively so that the decisions taken can be implemented on the ground," Gopal Rai said.

Amid severe pollution in the national capital region (NCR), BJP leader and Jewar MLA Dhirendra Singh on Friday urged the Uttar Pradesh government to declare an environmental emergency in the affected areas.

He also urged the government to temporarily halt all industrial activities contributing to emissions in a bid to curb pollution.

BJP national spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia noted that Kejriwal had sought a year's time exactly on this day in 2022 to curb pollution in the national capital and dared him to hold a press conference on the issue to highlight what steps his government has taken. "Arvind Kejriwal is known for corruption. He is also known for incompetence and false promises," he said.

Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai said on Friday that the large smog tower installed at Connaught Place two years ago to reduce air pollution in the vicinity has been shut down arbitrarily on the orders of Delhi Pollution Control Committee Chairman (DPCC) Ashwani Kumar.

The minister told reporters here that Kumar, who assumed the role of DPCC chairman in December, "stopped the release of funds to IIT-Bombay and other agencies working on the project, without informing the government".

“The situation arising out of air pollution in the City is extremely worrying. I have asked Hon'ble CM & Hon'ble Minister (Environment) for a meeting at Raj Niwas at 06:00 PM today, to take stock of the situation,” Delhi LG posts on X.

"Dust will increase if metro projects are delayed, flyovers are changed...In the last nine years, you have not been able to formulate even one new policy to introduce a new mode of transport. For this, both Central and Delhi Govt are responsible...The govts need to work all year round...": Delhi Congress President Arvinder Singh Lovely

“I believe that pollution is the problem of entire North India. Sometimes pollution is more in Uttar Pradesh, sometimes a city of Haryana comes at number 1, and sometimes a city of Rajasthan goes at number 1 in the world. For this, all the states and the Centre will have to work together,” said Delhi minister Saurabh Bharadwaj.

"Breathing in Delhi is becoming tough. Children are under the threat of suffering lung damage if they are stepping out of their houses. The average life span of people living in Delhi has been reduced by 12 years. This is what Arvind Kejriwal has given to Delhi in the last 8-9 years...He has not taken any serious step towards this, let alone making an effort. He is involved in his corrupt acts and is going across the country. Delhi is cursing its destiny," the BJP leader said.

The Air Quality Index (AQI) in various regions of Delhi-NCR has plunged into the 'severe' category, resulting in a surge in the number of individuals experiencing respiratory and other health issues in the national capital, according to a health expert on Friday.

During an interview with ANI regarding the deteriorating air quality in the city, Dr. Nikhil Modi, Senior Consultant in Respiratory Critical Care at Apollo Hospital, highlighted that the volume of patients seeking treatment for respiratory problems in outpatient departments (OPDs) has nearly doubled.

The Delhi BJP on Friday accused CM Arvind Kejriwal of indulging in "political tourism" at a time when the city residents are facing severe air pollution.

"The AQI has reached 700 in Anand Vihar. Yesterday alone there were around 1,600 incidents of parali (paddy stubble) burning in Punjab. The next 48 hours are going to be very dreadful for Delhi," said Delhi BJP president Virendra Sachdeva.

Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai called upon his Union counterpart on Friday to become more active in addressing the air pollution problem, saying it's not just the national capital, but the entire north India that is breathing polluted air.

According to Delhi environment minister Gopal Rai, a decision on further closure of schools will be taken on the basis of air quality, on November 6.

Delhi environment minister Gopal rai is chairing a review meet with concerned department to discuss rising air pollution levels and strict implementation of GRAP-3 measures.

The severity conditions that are in Noida, Gurugram, or Faridabad are not in Delhi, it is not good to defame the people of Delhi. We are the only state where a diesel generator is banned. In Noida and Gurgaon, meanwhile, electricity mostly comes from generators, while brick kilns are banned in Delhi. Also, there are CNG and electric buses here. Did Haryana and UP have electric buses?. We are doing everything: Saurabh Bharadwaj, Delhi minister

This is a dangerous level. This is a gas chamber. If you go out, there is irritation in the eyes and pain in the throat of everyone. Our OPD has shot up 20–30 percent. When the poisonous air goes into the body, it will affect every organ...We will have to go out to work. For this, cover yourself and wear masks...Take a healthy diet and hydrate yourself: Dr Sandeep Nayar

Inaugurated in August 2021, the ₹23 crore Smog Tower in Connaught Place is locked up and non-operational.

We are not delaying the Odd-Even scheme. The Supreme Court has given the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) the mandate to take the decision. According to their direction, we are moving our steps. If the situation turns very serious, then we will take further decisions after discussing it with everyone: Gopal Rai, Delhi environment minister

We are recording a surge in the number of irritative bronchitis infections. It is recommended that people suffering from respiratory issues such as chronic bronchitis and asthma take their medicines regularly and do not go out in the open unless absolutely necessary: Dr Jugal Kishore, Head, Department of Medicine, Safdarjung Hospital

At 7am on Friday, a visibility of only 500 metres was recorded at the Safdarjung Observatory, says an India Meteorological Department (IMD) official, Livemint reports.

As temperatures rise during the day, the visibility will improve, as per the official.

We are in that time of the year where pollution has started to increase once again... the number of patients with breathing problems has increased. More people have coughs, colds, water and irritation in their eyes, and breathing problems. People of every age are affected by this…the time has come for us to use masks…go out only when needed: Dr. Nikhil Modi, Senior Consultant Respiratory Critical Care Sleep Medicine, Apollo Hospital

The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) carries out sprinkling of water in the city's Lodhi Road area as a measure againt the rise in AQI.