Delhi records season’s worst air quality, stricter curbs imposed:Authorities raise parking fees, office hours to change soon, ban on burning garbage

Delhi recorded the worst air quality level of the season on Monday. Following this, the Air Quality Management Commission (CAQM) immediately implemented the restrictions under Stage II of GRAP in Delhi-NCR. People have been urged to reduce the use of private vehicles and opt for public transport or carpooling. People have also been urged to avoid construction activities that generate dust and smoke. Those whose work permits it have been encouraged to work from home. Delhi’s AQI was recorded at 324 on Monday, placing it in the very poor category. Air quality deteriorated as weather conditions worsened rapidly. At a meeting of the CAQM sub-committee on Monday, it was reported that Delhi’s AQI had fallen rapidly over 72 hours. The AQI was 117 on Saturday, which falls in the moderate category. It then reached 261 on Sunday, entering the poor category. On Monday, it rose to 324, entering the very poor category. Municipal corporations, traffic police and pollution control boards in Delhi, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan have been directed to take strict action. Action on roads and at hotspots Mechanical or vacuum sweeping will be carried out daily on roads with heavy traffic and at congested locations. Water will also be sprayed at these places after being mixed with dust-suppressing substances. These measures will be given priority and completed before peak traffic hours. Inspections will be intensified at identified pollution hotspots and construction and demolition (CD) sites. Necessary steps will also be taken at these locations to reduce pollution. Changes in parking fees and office timings change Urban local bodies have been directed to increase parking fees to reduce the use of private vehicles. State governments and the GNCTD are changing the working hours of employees in government offices and municipal bodies in Delhi, Gurugram, Faridabad, Ghaziabad and Gautam Buddh Nagar. Resident associations should provide heaters to security guards Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs) will have to provide electric heaters to security guards, sanitation workers and horticulture workers. The aim is to prevent the burning of biomass or municipal solid waste in the open during the cold weather. The CAQM has appealed to people to support efforts to reduce pollution.