Environment body hints at banning all private vehicles if Delhi air pollution deteriorates

Vehicles ply at Rajpath as thick haze engulfs Vijay Chowk, in New Delhi, Monday, Oct 29, 2018. (PTI Photo)

NEW DELHI: Plying of all private vehicle on Delhi roads could be banned if the air quality shows no signs of improvement, hinted the chief of a top environment organisation.

Bhure Lal, Chairman, Environment Pollution Control Authority on Tuesday said that a graded action response plan will be implemented from November 1. 

“Let us hope Delhi air pollution situation doesn't deteriorate or else will have to stop plying of private vehicles, only public transport will be used,” said Bhure Lal, Chairman, Environment Pollution Control Authority.

On Tuesday, the national capital witnessed the worst pollution of the season, with air quality being recorded at 397, just three points below the severe level, as per data of the Central Pollution Control Board.

An AQI between 0 and 50 is considered "good", 51 and 100 "satisfactory", 101 and 200 "moderate", 201 and 300 "poor", 301 and 400 "very poor", and 401 and 500 "severe".

Seventeen areas of the national capital recorded severe air quality. 

The Centre-run System of Air Quality Forecasting And Research (SAFAR) attributed "heavy stubble burning in the last 24 hours and calm winds as the reason behind the further deterioration of air capital.

A thick haze due to smog continued to hover over the national capital. The pollution aggravated as stubble burning in neighbouring states intensified, authorities have said.

Meanwhile, the Delhi government ordered the closure of as many as 417 polluting units as the air quality deteriorated further in the national capital on Monday.

The decision in this regard was taken after pollution levels were recorded at the alarming levels in Delhi and predicted to soon come under the ''severe '' category.

With agency inputs