With the air quality in Delhi taking a turn for the worse, restrictions under the second phase of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) to check polluting activities have come into force from Monday. Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai has also announced that the ‘Red Light On, Gaadi Off’ campaign will restart from Thursday.
The campaign aims to reduce air pollution in the city by encouraging people to turn off their engines when waiting at red lights.
Firecrackers have also been banned in Delhi during Dussehra and Diwali.
Also Read: Smog shrouds Delhi as air quality dips to ‘very poor’ category, AQI at 306
Gopal Rai chaired a meeting with officials from 28 departments today after the Air Quality Index in the national capital breached the 300 mark and was recorded at 306 at several places in the city.
According to the minister, the dip in air quality was the result of low wind speed and a drop in temperature. “There are 13 pollution hotspots in Delhi. Eight more locations, including Shadipur and Patparganj, clocked AQI higher than 300 today. Special teams will be deployed in these areas to identify the cause of pollution,” he said, ANI reported
He said that the next two weeks are crucial for the national capital that has put into force phase two of GRAP to combat ‘very poor’ air quality.
The Environment Minister also said that the Delhi government had reached out to neighbouring states on stubble burning, which contributed to the high levels of pollution.
With the AQI past the 300-mark and in the ‘very poor’ category, the second stage of GRAP is being implemented in Delhi. Dust suppressants will be added to water sprinkled on trees and roads of the national capital.
A further dip in air quality may lead to more restrictions, including curbs on vehicular movement and closure of schools and colleges.
(With inputs from ANI)