— By Dr KK Aggarwal and Dr Anil Kumar (Heart Care Foundation of India) More than 60% reduction in air...
According to SAFAR, the rise in air pollution is because of the prevalence of calm surface winds and decrease in ventilation coefficient which creates a conducive environment for pollutant accumulation.
The national capital region has been reeling under harmful levels of air pollution ever since Diwali, majorly owing to stubble burning in the neighbouring states of Haryana, Punjab and Uttar Pradesh.
"A comprehensive air plan for Delhi NCR has been developed identifying the timelines and implementing agencies for actions delineated. Centre has notified a graded response action plan for Delhi NCR for different levels of pollution," said Javadekar
The meeting was supposed to discuss measures to deal with the on-going health emergency in Delhi, on 15th November.
Arvind Kejriwal-led Delhi government's Odd-Even scheme ended on Friday. The Chief Minister had said that state government will take a decision on Monday on the continuation of the scheme.
The road rationing scheme prohibits plying of private vehicles based on the last digit of their registration numbers. Vehicles with even digits are only allowed to ply on even days, and those with odd numbers on odd days.
Taking cognizance of air pollution levels in Delhi-NCR crossed "hazardous" category, Environment Pollution (Prevention and Control) Authority on Friday declared a public health emergency.
Toxic smog in Delhi has engulfed the national capital and its adjoining regions post-Diwali with the air quality index (AQI) docking at severe levels, putting the health of people under risk.
Chief Minister Nitish Kumar emphasised on reducing pollution and said farmers found burning stubble will not be given agricultural subsidy.
