Emergency Meeting On Delhi Air Pollution Crisis: Children, Elderly Advised To Stay Indoors

New Delhi: Increasing air pollution in the national Capital has become a major cause for concern.

Delhi’s air quality plummeted to ‘severe plus’ category on Friday morning, which calls for emergency measures, including a ban on polluting trucks, commercial four-wheelers and all types of construction.

Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena chaired an emergency meeting with Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and Environment minister Gopal Rai in the evening to discuss the grave situation.

A number of interim measures were discussed and agreed on.

The Environment department will issue advisories asking children and elderly people to take extra care and remain indoors as far as possible, reported India Today.

People will be asked to remain indoors as long as possible, avoid unnecessary travel and, if necessary, to use public transport to ensure reduced emissions and dust pollution.

Following are other measures to be adopted:

* All government departments and agencies, irrespective of their mandate, should prioritise pollution mitigation in their activities.

* Commission for Air Quality Management measures with regards to Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) to tackle air pollution, will be strictly implemented on the ground.

* All mechanised road sweepers, water sprinklers and anti-smog guns (static, mobile and those over high rises) are to be optimally used, even in double shifts, if required.

* Health department to ensure all its facilities are in a state of readiness to assist any resident of the city who needs help.

* Neighbouring states, especially Punjab, will be asked to avoid crop burning through incentives.

Environment minister Rai said he had asked Lt Gov Saxena to ensure senior officers “actively” participate in meetings regarding air pollution.

The minister claimed that following the Central government’s Delhi Services Bill, officers had become “inactive”.