SC Issues Notices to Centre, States Over Stubble Burning
Schools in Delhi-NCR will remain shut till Sunday, 12 November.
Sunday brought little respite to Delhiites, as air quality remained in the ‘severe’ category in several parts of the city for the sixth consecutive day.
With the capital now facing a health emergency, the AAP government has taken a number of measures to fight pollution. Primary schools have been ordered to be closed until Sunday, and outdoor activities for children have been banned.
- All schools in Delhi-NCR will remain closed till Sunday
- Delhi Metro already running extra trips
- No industrial activities in Delhi till 14 November, ban on trucks carrying construction materials in Delhi-NCR, NGT orders
US-based United Airlines temporarily suspends flights to New Delhi - The Indian Medical Association has declared the smog a “public health emergency”
SC Has Issued Notice to the Centre, and the Punjab, Haryana and UP Governments
The Supreme court has issued notices to the Centre as well as the state governments of Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh over pollution caused by stubble burning and construction activities. While hearing the plea, the Supreme Court also said that it would not interfere in the Odd-Even matter and that the National Green Tribunal could keep hearing the case. The court also observed that it was an emergency like situation and sought expeditious action.
A bench comprising Chief Justice Dipak Misra and Justices A M Khanwilkar and D Y Chandrachud said that there won't be any stay on matters pertaining to pollution which are going on before any other court. The court also pushed for promotion of solar energy and electric vehicles in order to tackle pollution. The plea filed by lawyer RK Kapoor has sought directions to the Centre and the states concerned to take measures on curbing road dust and stubble burning along with effective implementation of the odd-even scheme.
Supreme Court to Hear Air Pollution Matter Today
The Supreme Court on Monday agreed to hear a fresh plea seeking to curb rising pollution in Delhi and the national capital region (NCR.
A bench comprising Chief Justice Dipak Misra and Justices A M Khanwilkar and D Y Chandrachud considered the submission of lawyer R K Kapoor that the rise in dust particles on roads and stubble burning in Delhi's neighbouring states like Haryana and Punjab have led to an alarming rise in pollution levels in the NCR and its adjoining areas.
"We cannot ignore the pollution," the bench said adding that it will hear the plea today itself after finishing the matters listed on its board.
The fresh plea seeks direction to the Centre and the states concerned to take measures on curbing road dust and stubble burning.
It also seeks effective implementation of the odd-even car rationing scheme.
Both Private and Government Schools in Gurugram to Remain Shut
All schools in Gurugram will remain closed on Monday, 13 November, due to the continuing smog situation, ANI reported.
Delhi's 'Gas Chamber' Smog Continues on Sunday
While the Delhi government grapples with ‘Odd-Even’ and how best to implement it, Sunday has come around with no improvement in the air quality. Saturday afternoon saw a drop in particulate matter quantity, but the same soon shot up again on Sunday.
The city's air quality worsened ahead of winter as cooler air traps pollutants near the ground, preventing them from dispersing into the atmosphere.
As the pollution has hit 70 times the WHO's safe limit, doctors have suggested people to wear N90 masks whenever they go out, as exposure to air pollution can lead to cancer and heart disease.
A jogger at the India Gate, Shubhankar Tomar, told ANI, "Today the fog is back. Yesterday, there was not much. The government should take an initiative to resolve this deadly situation." Another jogger said, "We are facing breathing problems now. We are taking precautions to protect ourselves from respiratory problems."
Meanwhile, the Health Ministry has also issued an advisory, asking citizens to drink plenty of water and avoid areas with smoke or heavy dust.
The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has identified four reasons for the sudden onset of pollution – temperature, wind speed, relative humidity and atmospheric boundary layer – for the worsening Delhi air.
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has banned construction, one source of particulate matter pollution, in the region through 14 November, whereas truck and car travel has also been limited. To this end, trucks and heavy vehicles were barred from entering into Delhi on Saturday night.
Minister Lauds Nasal Filters Created by IIT Students
Union Minister of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Dharmendra Pradhan on Saturday appreciated two students of Indian Institutes of Technology (IIT) Delhi for coming up with nasal filters to combat air pollution.
Pollution in Delhi in 'Emergency' Category
Delhi's air quality went south and once again entered the 'emergency' category this evening, dashing hopes of recovery generated during the morning hours when level of pollutants showed a steady drop.
The dramatic reversal in the situation, hours after the government announced that levels of ultrafine particulates PM2.5 and PM10 had seen a reduction, caught people and weather scientists unaware.
Centre-run air monitoring agency SAFAR's project director Gufran Beig told PTI that the sharp drop of the boundary layer where pollutants remained trapped for being unable to escape into the upper layer of the atmosphere.
“There is no likelihood of last week's repeat as there is no fresh influx of pollutants from external sources such as stubble burning or dust storm in the larger region. But recovery will get delayed by at least one more day,” Beig said.
Don't Panic, Air Quality Improving: Environment Minister
As smog continued to envelop Delhi and NCR for the fifth day in row, Union Environment Minister Harsh Vardhan on Saturday urged the people not to panic stating that air quality has been improving over the last two days.
The Minister pointed out that for the first time this year a focussed approach has been adopted to deal with emergency-like situations through Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP). Several restrictions such as stopping truck movement and banning diesel generator sets are imposed under GRAP, depending on the severity of the air quality.
“Air quality has been improving over the last two day, people of Delhi need not panic,” the Minister said.
Environment Minister Harsh Vardhan on Air Pollution
Environment Minister Harsh Vardhan addressed the media shortly after the NGT gave its nod to Kejriwal’s odd-even scheme. Vardhan assured that the meteorological department has predicted rain any time after the night of 13 November, which is expected to settle the remaining particulate matter.
He also said that there is no need to panic, or create panic.
United Airlines Temporarily Suspends Flights to Delhi Due to Smog
United Airlines suspended it’s Newark-New Delhi flight due to poor air quality concerns in Delhi.
"We are monitoring advisories as the region remains under a public health emergency, and are coordinating with respective government agencies," CNN Money quoted a representative for the airline as saying.
Read more here.
Air Pollution Harmful, But Doesn't Kill: Environment Minister
Environment Minister Harsh Vardhan, in an interview with NDTV, conceded that air pollution is harmful but said it would be pushing it to say that it killed.
Smog Continues on Saturday Morning
Smog continued on Saturday morning, with the capital's Mandir Marg at 326, Anand Vihar at 430, Siri Fort at 316, Dwarka at 327, Shadipur at 331 in the 'Hazardous' category, in Air Quality Index.
Sixty four trains have been delayed, 14 rescheduled and two cancelled due to smog/fog conditions.
No Better on Friday Morning
Several areas of Delhi have fallen in the ‘Hazardous’ category with Mandir Marg at 515, Punjabi Bagh at 802, Anand Vihar at 571, Dwarka at 420 in the Air Quality Index.
Entry Points on NCR's Border to Be Sealed for Trucks
Entry points on the national capital's borders will be sealed by the Delhi Police for trucks, except those carrying essential items, following the Delhi Lieutenant Governor's order in view of the alarming pollution situation in the city
The LG, Anil Baijal, has directed the Delhi Traffic Police and municipal corporations to prohibit the entry of heavy and medium goods vehicles from 11 pm on 9 November to 11 pm on 12 November.
Neighboring districts administrations have been requested to deploy adequate manpower at all border entry points in their respective areas and help the Delhi Police in implementing the directions, she said.
Citizens Demand More Stringent and Permanent Measures
On the third day of severe smog in Delhi NCR, people are still struggling to cope. With the city now facing a health emergency, the AAP government has taken a number of measures to fight pollution. But people are asking for more stringent and permanent measures to be taken.
"Why is There Collective Apathy?" Mothers Express Their Anxieties
As Delhi lives under a blanket of toxic smog, kids are among the worst affected. One in every three kids' lungs are compromised in Delhi. Parents from Delhi NCR want their children to breathe properly and demand action.
Air Quality Levels in Delhi Till Thursday 5 pm
Environment Ministry Forms High Level Committee to Monitor Air Pollution
The environment ministry has set up a high level committee to propose and monitor solution to air pollution.
The seven-member committee, headed by the environment secretary, will look at short-term and long-term measures. It will meet at regular intervals to draw up a plan and ensure the enforcement of various measures, it said.
The meeting also decided to ensure that the directions issued by the ministry, CPCB and EPCA are implemented by all agencies concerned and "the hotspots" visited regularly to assess the situation
The ministry has also asked the affected state government to implement the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP).
Kejriwal Wants Support from Centre, Haryana, Punjab
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal suggested on Thursday that Centre, Haryana, Punjab and Delhi governments should set their political differences aside and come together to find a permanent solution to stubble burning.
The chief minister also said that fining farmers is not the solution and hinted that Delhi government may make some financial contribution to stop stubble burning if neighbouring states do the same.
Haryana’s agriculture minister Om Prakash Dhankar has written a demi-official letter requesting the central government to allow utilisation of labour under the MNREGA for disposal of paddy straw for a period of one year.
In the letter addressed to Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare Minister Radha Mohan Singh and Minister of Rural Development and Panchayti Raj Narender Singh Tomar, he said the sarpanches may dispose of the material by supplying it to industrialists, power making small plants and brick kilns.
He also said that the farmers should be provided an incentive at the time of purchase for the management of paddy straw.
Odd-Even Policy in Delhi From 13 November
The odd-even policy for vehicles is set to make a comeback in Delhi from 13 to 17 November, Transport Minister Kailash Gahlot said.
Read the full story here.
NHRC Sends Notices to Centre, Punjab, Haryana Govts
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) today issued notices to the Centre and Governments of Punjab and Haryana over life-threatening pollution levels in Delhi-NCR. In a statement, the NHRC said: “The state cannot leave its citizens to die due to the toxic haze.”
No Reason to Panic: Environment Min Harsh Vardhan
Union Environment Minister Harsh Vardhan announced that he is in touch with states in the NCR region and has asked them to implement a graded action plan. He was quoted as saying:
Govts Need Viable Solution For Crop Burning: Kejriwal
After being rapped by the NGT and Delhi High Court, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said that if the Centre, UP, Punjab and Haryana governments put politics aside and unite, a solution can be found.
Right to Life Being Snatched Away: NGT
The National Green Tribunal, on 9 November, pulled up the Delhi government, municipal corporations and neighbouring states as smog continues to hover and choke the region. It asked them to see the “pitiable condition of people in hospitals and the way their lives are being played with”.
Vehicles more than 10 years, in case of diesel and 15 years in case of petrol, should be prohibited to enter Delhi, it said and directed to “ban trucks carrying construction materials in Delhi-NCR”.
Public authorities have been instructed to depute an officer to monitor the polluting activities.
The NGT further slammed the neighbouring states of Delhi and raised questions over their seriousness on the grievous situation.
Punjab CM Orders Issuance of Strict Guidelines for Bus Drivers
Following the death of 10 people in a road accident in Bathinda, Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh on 9 November issued strict guidelines for bus drivers in view of the smog.
Expressing concern over the spate of accidents due to dense smog in the state over the past few days, he directed Punjab Roadways and Pepsu Road Transport Corporation (PRTC) to issue detailed guidelines to the drivers to be extra vigilant and cautious while driving buses in the prevailing conditions.
Metro Parking Rates to Go up Four-Fold
The Delhi Metro on Wednesday, 8 November, announced a four-fold hike in the rates for parking on its premises to discourage commuters from using private vehicles.
Delhi Metro to Run Extra Train Trips
In view of the ongoing weather scenario, the Delhi Metro decided to run extra train trips across its network from 9 November, the DMRC (Delhi Metro Rail Corporation) said in a statement
Acting on a recommendation from EPCA ( Environment Pollution Prevention and Control Authority), DMRC will run 186 extra train trips to help Delhiites commute safely in the toxic weather with minimum visibility.
Use Public Transport, Carpooling, Don't Smoke: Delhi Govt Advisory
As the toxic haze worsened in the National Capital on Wednesday, the AAP government issued a public health advisory. Here are its key points
- Use carpooling and public transport
- Stay indoors and don’t smoke
- Avoid going for walk during early morning and late evening hours
- Avoid burning dry leaves, crops residues, wood, coal, etc
- Visit nearest medical facility, if they feel breathlessness or palpitation
- If you feel irritation in the throat and nose, take steam and do salt water gargles
- Extra precautions to be taken by high risk groups such as children, elderly, pregnant women, asthma patients, heart disease and stroke, diabetics, and people with low immunity
- Use N95 masks while going outdoor during peak pollution hours
'Why Hasn't Construction Stopped Yet?': NGT Lashes Out at Delhi Govt
The National Green Tribunal lashed out at the Delhi government and the Central Pollution Control Board for not issuing orders to shut down construction and industrial activities in the capital despite the worsening air quality.
It also ordered Punjab, UP and Haryana governments to spell out the steps have they taken to prevent crop burning in the states adjacent to the national capital.
The green panel directed the Delhi Pollution Control Committee to collect ambient air quality samples from different parts of the city and submit an analysis containing details of different pollutants, including particulate matter (PM) 2.5 and 10.
Making scathing remarks, it asked the Delhi authorities to explain why steps were not taken to stop construction and industrial activities causing emission in the entire national capital.
Delhi MLA Distributes Masks at CP
Delhi MLA Majinder Sirsa distributed masks near Central Park in Connaught Place. He shared photos on his Twitter account.
A Healthy Dose of Smog Greets Prince Charles in New Delhi
Earlier in the day, Prince Charles arrived in New Delhi, accompanied by Camilla Parker Bowles, the Duchess of Cornwall.
A thick cloud of smog greeted the British royals as they embarked on their two-day visit.
Air Pollution: Kejriwal Wants Meeting With Khattar, Amarinder
Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, on 8 November, sought a meeting with his counterparts in Punjab and Haryana to discuss ways to tackle the alarming air pollution levels in Delhi.
In letters to the chief ministers of Haryana and Punjab, Kejriwal said the governments in the neighbouring states had failed to provide farmers with viable alternatives to stubble burning, a process that leads to air pollution in Delhi.
Delhi, Noida Schools Shut Till Sunday
“Air quality in Delhi is worsening, have directed all schools to remain closed till Sunday, 12 November,” Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia announced on 8 November.
According to sources, the Noida DM has ordered closure of schools till Sunday.
The Haryana government has also decided that all government, government-aided, and unaided private schools will open an hour late till 30 November because of the dense smog. The schools will now open at 9 am instead of 8 am.
All schools in Ghaziabad have also been ordered to stay closed by the district magistrate because of the worsening pollution levels in the NCR region.
Health Advisory Issued, Schools Asked to Remain Shut
The Delhi government has issued a health advisory for high-risk individuals, including children, the elderly, pregnant women and those suffering from asthma and heart ailments.
The Supreme Court-mandated Environment Pollution (Prevention and Control) Authority, empowered to enforce the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) to contain emergency levels of pollution, announced that all measures under the plan's severe category will be implemented across the region till further notice.
'Health Emergency' in India's 'Gas Chamber'
Delhi's air quality on 8 November is at the season's worst as a combined effect of smoke from stubble burning and moisture turned the city into a "gas chamber" leaving people gasping and prompting authorities to announce closure of primary schools and a four-fold hike in parking fees among a series of sweeping measures.
The Indian Medical Association said the capital was witnessing a "public health emergency" and appealed to the government to stop outdoor sports and other such activities in schools to protect the health of children.
(With inputs from PTI and IANS.)
(Breathe In, Breathe Out: Are you finding it tough to breathe polluted air? Join hands with FIT to find #PollutionKaSolution. Send in your suggestions to fit@thequint.com or WhatsApp @ +919999008335)
(At The Quint, we are answerable only to our audience. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member. Because the truth is worth it.)