Delhi pollution: Breathing is injurious to health

MoEF secretary C K Mishra wrote to the chief secretaries of Delhi, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Haryana — all the states EPCA had written to a day earlier — asking them to follow the steps required to control air pollution.

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In New Delhi Wednesday. The smog, which descended on the city Monday, is expected to last until at least Saturday. (Express Photo: Praveen Khanna)

As Delhi’s air inched towards the unbreathable, a slew of announcements and urgent requests followed: a timer on the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) website to monitor Delhi’s smog, twice daily, the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) reaching out to states asking them to take preventive measures as “topmost priority”, and the Delhi government announcing ban on construction and barring entry of trucks in the city. Other key measures announced include increasing parking fee four times, and shutting schools till Sunday.

The day’s average air quality index was 478, indicating “severe” levels of pollution — perilously close to the maximum of 500, after which “emergency” is declared. But with MeT department officials predicting no change in weather soon, and government officials fearing further increase in pollution, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal termed the situation as an “emergency”.

“The CPCB’s task force is meeting on a daily basis and will put out health warnings if the PM levels cross emergency levels,” said CPCB’s A Sudhakar.

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MoEF secretary C K Mishra wrote to the chief secretaries of Delhi, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Haryana — all the states EPCA had written to a day earlier — asking them to follow the steps required to control air pollution. “These steps are critical to prevent any further deterioration… I would urge that the directions given by EPCA be implemented in letter and spirit,” Mishra wrote.

After a meeting with the L-G Anil Baijal, Kejriwal and other officials too announced a slew of measures, including stopping the entry of trucks to Delhi, barring essential commodities, stopping civil construction and increasing parking fees, including at Metro stations, four times.

Orders were also issued to begin preparations for the odd-and-even scheme. Transport Minister Kailash Gahlot said, “We will enforce odd-even scheme if air quality turns severe plus. I have also directed DTC to procure 500 buses to augment public transport.” The Delhi government also announced that all schools will remain closed till Sunday and issued a health advisory.

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Delhi Smog