New Delhi: Following the action after being nudged by the Supreme Court to curb the rising air pollution in the national capital, the Delhi government has told the Supreme Court it is ready to impose a complete lockdown in Delhi to control air pollution. Delhi government suggested to the court that it would be meaningful if lockdown is implemented across the NCR areas in neighboring states. Delhi’s air quality on Monday witnessed marginal improvement as the air quality in the capital city reached the lower end of ‘very poor’ category with Air Quality Index (AQI) at 318 (overall), according to the System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting And Research (SAFAR). Updates: # Supreme Court slams Delhi government, saying it's passing the buck to Municipal Commissioner. This kind of lame excuse will force us to hold an audit of the revenue you are earning and spend on popularity slogans - the Supreme Court says. # Supreme Court while perusing the Delhi government's affidavit says the affidavit is all about bashing farmers and how the entire cause is stubble burning. # Supreme Court observes that the major cause of air pollution in Delhi are dust, heavy vehicular traffic and industries'; says if timely steps taken by the government, pollution can be kept to manageable levels. # Centre suggests three steps to Supreme Court to bring down pollution- Introduction of odd-even vehicle scheme, ban on trucks' entry in Delhi, and severest will be lockdown. # Centre tells Supreme Court that stubble burning is not the major cause of pollution at present in Delhi and northern states, as it contributes to only 10% of the pollution. # Delhi Government tells Supreme Court that it is ready to impose complete lockdown in Delhi to control air pollution; suggested the court that it would be meaningful if lockdown is implemented across the NCR areas in neighboring states.
