Delhi Air Pollution: Ban on entry of trucks, construction works extended in national capital region

In the view of fluctuating levels of air pollution in the national capital region, the ban on entry of trucks, construction works and the coal and biomass industries were on Saturday extended till November 12, according to the Environment Pollution Prevention & Control Authority (EPCA).

Writing a letter to the Delhi Chief Secretary, the authority said the measures will remain implemented till November 12, keeping in mind the prevailing adverse conditions in the Delhi-NCR region. The pollution control board also added that it will further review the situation and inform the latter accordingly.

"States ban on industries using coal and biomass (including brick kilns), ban on entry of truck traffic to Delhi (except essential commodities) and ban on construction activities will continue till November 12," the news agency ANI reported.

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Environment Pollution (Prevention&Control) Auth (EPCA) writes to Delhi Chief Secy, states ban on industries using coal & biomass (including brick kilns), ban on entry of truck traffic to Delhi (except essential commodities)&ban on construction activities will continue till Nov 12

— ANI (@ANI) November 10, 2018

Earlier, the ban on entry of truck and other pollution rising activities were implemented from November 8 to November 11 in order to control the thick blanket of smog engulfing the national capital region. The ban came into force after PM 2.5 levels cross 300 micrograms per metre cube and PM 10 levels rise over 500 micrograms per metre cube.

The sharp spike in Delhi's air pollution level is attributed to the rampant burning of firecrackers during Diwali festivity. Even the Supreme Court order to burst firecrackers from 8 pm to 10 pm had been flouted, with Delhiites bursting crackers till late at night.

Read | Diwali 2018: Mumbai records high noise level, seven held for flouting SC directive on firecrackers

However, amid these control measures, Delhi's air quality Saturday fell under 'very poor' category from Friday's 'severe' levels, according to the data shared by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). To be specific, fifteen areas in Delhi recorded 'severe' air quality while 19 areas recorded 'very poor' pollution levels.

Authority said the recovery is slow due to low surface wind speed from the direction of stubble burning areas in and around the capital city.