CPCB extends ban on construction activities in Delhi till Nov 2

NEW DELHI: The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), in a bid to curb the ‘severe’ air quality of Delhi has extended the ban on overnight construction activities by industries who do not use piped natural gases (PNG) till November 2. Along with this, the ban on construction activities has also been stretched from 6 PM to 10 AM. The extension of the ban will also apply to coal-powered industries of Faridabad, Gurugram, Ghaziabad, Noida, Greater Noida, Sonepat and Bahadurgarh. The pollution controlling authority has also directed Punjab and Haryana state government to put check on the stubble burning in their states.

The CPCB conducted another meeting on Wednesday, October 30, with the state pollution control committees and municipal bodies, in which agencies were ordered to step up action on the ground and resolve all pending pollution-related complaints within 24 hours.

Prashant Gargava, CPCB Member-Secretary said on the occasion, “The air quality is in the ‘severe’ category since 5 PM on Tuesday, October 29, and this is likely to continue until Thursday. But, we have been informed by the India Meteorological Department (IMD) that the wind speed has improved and it is expected that by Friday, November 1, air quality index might improve to the ‘very poor’ category.”

The move is implemented to control commercial activities that lead to dust generation.