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Journalism of Courage
With no signs of respite from the dense smog over Delhi-National Capital Region, the Delhi government announced that the odd-even car rationing scheme will be rolled out in the city for five days from November 13 to November 17 with Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal citing the burning of paddy stubble in adjoining states as the main cause behind this air pollution.
Union Environment Minister Harsh Vardhan, in the meantime, assured that the air quality in the region will get normal within ‘next few days’ and also claimed that the pollution level in the city has also dropped considerably over the last 24 hours. Taking a note of the hazardous situation, all government and private schools in Gurgaon have been directed to remain shut on November 10 and 11.
Delhi air pollution Live updates:
07.00pm: Mamata Banerjee took to Twitter and wrote, “Global warming is a problem. Delhi pollution a disaster. Instead of blaming each other, I suggest Centre sit with CMs of neighbouring states – Punjab, Haryana Delhi – to solve problem. Only to accuse Delhi CM is not solution.”
06.30pm: Describing Delhi’s air pollution as a “national problem”, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee expressed support for her Delhi counterpart Arvind Kejriwal and said the Centre should discuss with neighbouring states to find a solution.
05.30 pm: Union Health Minister J P Nadda reviewed the situation today and directed all the central government-run hospitals to stock nebulizers and other related equipment in a good condition and be ready to meet any exigency.
04.30: Despite knowing that two-wheelers caused 46 per cent pollution, why have you exempted two-wheelers and women in Odd-Even scheme: NGT asks Delhi govt.
04.00 pm: NGT allows industries engaged in essential services to operate in Delhi-NCR on condition that they would not pollute.
03.30 pm: Keeping in mind environmental emergency and the Odd-Even scheme, a special NGT bench special sitting of NGT will be held tomorrow at 11am for Delhi Govt to make submissions and answer them why is Odd-Even necessary to be implemented now: Gaurav Bansal, lawyer in odd-even implementation matter in NGT
03.20 pm: NGT’s observations on Odd-Even scheme are:
*CPCB/DPCC reports have shown that higher pollution during Odd-Even days. You will not implement this scheme unless you satisfy us that it is not counter productive.
*The worst case of pollution is practically coming to an end. Tell us what component of pollution do cars contribute?
*The implementation should be a full feature in Delhi throughout the year.
*We feel that your purpose and objective is landed, but the manner in which you are implementing is improper, unscientific.
* You people tell us as and when the PM 10 levels exceed 300, the Odd-Even will automatically come into force. Let the people know they have to suffer.
*What is the data or studies on the basis of which the scheme has been planned? And that to for only five days especially when pollution is coming down.
03.10pm: NGT said, “You will not implement Odd-Even unless you can satisfy us that this is not counter productive.” The tribunal is also completely against the idea since studies have previously shown that this did not help emission reductions.
03.00 pm: NGT asks Delhi govt to impose 1 lakh fine on builders found violating directions, as construction work has been halted in view of smog and air pollution. It also directed states to ensure that there should be no crop burning, says if any incident is reported to NGT, a considerable amount of fine will be charged from salary of responsible officer.
03.00 pm: NGT asks Delhi govt to give an undertaking that it will roll out odd-even only when particulate matter levels are over 300, reports PTI.
2:45 pm: The tribunal added, “Odd- Even formula can’t be imposed like this. Nothing has been done from your (Delhi govt) end since the past one year. When situation is improving, the government is trying to implement it. You should have done this earlier if you wanted to. This will now cause inconvenience to people.”
2: 42 pm: The tribunal has also asked the Delhi government to prove whether the odd-even policy has helped in reducing the pollution. If failed to prove, NGT will stay the imposition of the scheme.
2: 35 pm: Slamming the government’s Odd-Even decision, NGT directs Delhi government to justify the implementation of the car rationing policy. “Supreme Court never asked for imposition of this scheme. Supreme Court and NGT have suggested 100 measures to curb pollution but you always opted for odd-even. Delhi government will have to justify the implementation of this scheme,” the tribunal was quoted by ANI.
2:30 pm: As per a report in PTI, NGT slams Delhi government for announcing the odd-even policy despite being reported as ineffective by both CPCB and DPCC.
2: 15 pm: AAP leader Kailash Gahlot today in a tweet said that Delhi government in order to encourage the use of public transport during the Odd-Even (Nov 13 – Nov 17) period won’t charge any fare from commuters in all DTC and cluster buses.
2:00 pm: As per a report in PTI, the MeT department stated that visibility today remained 1,000 metres at 5.30 am. However, the visiblity dropped to 400 metres at 8.30 am.
1:40 pm: Although, the air quality in Delhi has remained under ‘severe’ category for the past couple of days, but there are other places with comparatively worse air quality than the city. Read| Amid clamour to save Delhi, many cities with worse air quality are forgotten
1: 15 pm: Transport Minister Kailash Gahlot said that the odd-even scheme, starting from November 13 till 17, will be in place from 8 am to 8 pm like last year and will allow odd-numbered cars to run on odd dates while even-numbered cars will only run on even dates.
1:00 pm: The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Twitter posted a video. In the video police officials in a bid to control pollution are seen sprinkling water in different parts of Delhi. Watch video:
12: 40 pm: Every year, around 75 per cent of the 19.7 million tonnes of paddy straw generated is burnt by the farmers creating a problem for the environment. Know how burning of stubble contributed to the menace and what are its potential solutions. Read | A (crop) burning issue, and the way out
12:20 pm: Stubble burning by farmers in Punjab and Haryana has been cited as the main cause behind the poor air quality.
12: 00 pm: The report also suggests that in the coming days the level of pollution will decrease. On Saturday, the PM 10 figures will drop from 895 to 627 and PM 2.5 will reduce from 546 to 387.
11:50 am: The pollution stats given by System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting And Research (SAFAR) says that PM 10 for the day is 895 and PM 2.5 is 546, with the air quality remaining under ‘severe’ category.
11:20 am: As per a report in news agency PTI, NGT at 2 pm will examine Delhi government’s decison to implement odd-even scheme from November 13. The tribunal has also directed the government to produce details of ambient air quality during earlier odd-even schemes.
10: 45 am: Although, the Indian Medical Association (IMA) has asked for the cancellation of the event but Vivek Singh, a senior member in the organising committee said that the event will be held as per plans. Read more | There’s no cloud of smog over Delhi Half Marathon
10:30 am: With Delhi being covered in a thick layer of smog, organisers of the Delhi Half Marathon still plan to host the event as per schedule, which is on November 19. Procam International, who are conducting the race, said the alarming levels of pollution in Delhi and adjoining areas is a matter of concern, but they believe that the situation would stabilise before the event.
10: 10 am: Meanwhile conditions in Chandigarh, Mohali and Panchkula has worsened since November 1, with the Met department maintaining that the Tricity has never seen such a situation in the recent past. Read | Chandigarh records worst air quality level ever
9:45 am: Following the increase in air pollution since Diwali, doctors at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital said that there has been 100 per cent spike in number of patients with respiratory disorders. Read | In smog city, smoker’s cough haunts non-smokers too
9: 30 am: Delhi government on Thursday announced the rollout of its odd-even car rationing scheme from November 13 to November 17 in the city. Click to know| Who all are exempted from following?
9: 10 am: Speaking to ANI about the ongoing checking at various border points, DCP DK Gupta said that traffic staff, local police and PCRs have been deployed on all border entry points. Vehicles are being checked and also directed to return from Delhi borders, he added. He also said that the police is in contact with neighbouring states so that diversons can also take place from Haryana and UP side. He added that only vehicles with essential commodities are allowed by the police.
9:05 am: After the National Green Tribunal (NGT) directed to ‘ban trucks carrying construction materials in Delhi-NCR’, Delhi police on Thursday night sealed all the border entry points from where heavy and medium goods vehicle enter into the city.
9: 00 am: The visual below shows Ghaziabad’s Indirapuram covered in a thick blanket of smog. As per a report in ANI, dense smog was witnessed earlier today in the area.
8: 40 am: The air quality index at Vikas Sadan Gurugram is 391, sector 16 A Faridabad at 348. Both the area also fall in the ‘Hazardous’ category.
8:25 am: An envelope of smog covered the Rajpath area in New Delhi. However, the dipping air quality was unable to refrain people from going out on their exercise routine.
8:22 am: A thick layer of smog was seen on Friday morning in Delhi’s Lodhi road area. Delhi air pollution: A (crop) burning issue, and the way out
8:20 am: The air quality index at Mandir Marg is 515, Punjabi Bagh is 802, Anand Vihar is 571, Dwarka is 420 and they all fall in the ‘Hazardous’ category.
