Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai on Wednesday said the city government will ban constructio🎀n work in areas recording an air quality index (AQI) above the 400 mark for five consecutive days.
During a press conference, he said Delhi's AQI ha🅠s remained around 350 for the past few days and meteorologists attribute this to a drop in temperatures and calm winds.
"These conditions are expected to peꦉrsist for the next few days, making the next fortnight crucial for Delhi," Rai said.
Despite the implementation of preventive measures under Stage 2 of the Central government's air pollutiౠon control plan, pollution levels in the city continue to rise.
Therefore, the Delhi government will halt construction work within a one-kilometer radius where the AQI exceeds the 400-ไmark foꦅr five consecutive days, Rai said.
An AQI between zero and 50 is considered "good", 51 and 100 "satisfa☂ctory", 101 and 200 "moderate", 201 and 300 "poor", 301 and 400 "very poor",🃏 and 401 and 500 "severe"
The 🐼ministe✤r said that he has instructed nodal officers to ensure strict enforcement of air pollution control measures in such areas.
The government ha💛s issued directives to a🌃ll departments and resident welfare associations to distribute heaters to security guards to prevent biomass burning.
Rai also𝕴 said that 1,000 private CNG buses will be brought under contract to strengthen public transport and reduce vehicular pollu💛tion.
The Municipal Corporation o🌜f Delhi has received instructions to use dust suppressants i🐼n water sprinklers to control dust pollution, he added.
-With PTI input
