Will ban construction work in areas with severe air quality for 5 days in row: Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai

Pic/PTI

Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai on Wednesday said the city government will ban construction work in areas recording an air quality index (AQI) above the 400 mark for five consecutive days, reported news agency PTI.

During a press conference, he said Delhi's AQI has remained around 350 for the past few days and meteorologists attribute this to a drop in temperatures and calm winds, reported PTI.

"These conditions are expected to persist for the next few days, making the next fortnight crucial for Delhi," Rai said, reported PTI.

Despite the implementation of preventive measures under Stage 2 of the Central government's air pollution control plan, pollution levels in the city continue to rise, reported PTI.

Therefore, the Delhi government will halt construction work within a one-kilometer radius where the AQI exceeds the 400-mark for five consecutive days, Rai said, reported PTI.

An AQI between zero and 50 is considered "good", 51 and 100 "satisfactory", 101 and 200 "moderate", 201 and 300 "poor", 301 and 400 "very poor", and 401 and 500 "severe".

The minister said that he has instructed nodal officers to ensure strict enforcement of air pollution control measures in such areas, reported PTI.

The government has issued directives to all departments and resident welfare associations to distribute heaters to security guards to prevent biomass burning, reported PTI.

Rai also said that 1,000 private CNG buses will be brought under contract to strengthen public transport and reduce vehicular pollution, reported PTI.

The Municipal Corporation of Delhi has received instructions to use dust suppressants in water sprinklers to control dust pollution, he added, reported PTI.

Meanwhile, the air quality index in the national capital was recorded at 336 on Wednesday morning bringing the air quality under the 'very poor' category for the fourth day in a row and the third straight day this week.

As per the SAFAR-India, the city's AQI has been in the 'very poor' category since Sunday (309).

The AQI was recorded at 322 on Monday and 327 on Tuesday, as per the data provided by the System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research (SAFAR)-India.

(With inputs from PTI)