New Delhi: Amidst concerns over Delhi’s deteriorating air quality, a crucial meeting chaired by Environment Minister Gopal Rai and Transport Minister Kailash Gahlot is underway at the Delhi Secretariat. The meeting aims to devise a comprehensive plan for implementing the Odd-Even vehicle rationing scheme in the national capital.
Delhi’s air pollution levels have remained a cause for alarm, with the AQI hovering in the ‘very poor’ category. On Tuesday morning, the AQI stood at 394, indicating a slight improvement but still far from safe levels. The thick haze engulfing the city has raised health concerns among residents.
To combat the worsening air quality, the Delhi government is considering reimplementing the Odd-Even scheme, which restricts private vehicles based on the odd or even numbers on their license plates. The scheme was previously implemented in Delhi in 2016 and 2019 and showed some effectiveness in reducing air pollution levels.
The ongoing meeting between Minister Rai and Minister Gahlot is expected to finalize the details of the Odd-Even scheme, including its implementation timeline, exemptions, and enforcement measures. The government is likely to announce the plan in the coming days.
After Grape Stage-4 became effective in Delhi-NCR, an alert has been issued in Meerut. The corporation has banned the open sale of air polluting materials like gravel, sand and dust. Corporation officials have warned that if any shopkeeper sells goods in the open outside his shop, a fine of Rs 1 lakh will be imposed on him.
Pollution has increased due to stubble burning in Haryana and Punjab. Besides the increasing pollution in the capital Delhi, the pollution in Meerut has also reached a dangerous level due to fog, smoke, dust and smog. AQI level was recorded at 346. Due to increase in polluted air, problems for respiratory patients have increased.