New Delhi: For the third consecutive day, the air quality of Delhi remained beyond ‘severe’ and the Environment Ministry has said the dusty conditions are likely to prevail for another 3-4 days. Such level of pollution has not been seen by Delhiites since November when Delhi was covered in a thick smog of burning pollutants caused by farm fires in adjoining states.
The air quality worsens because of dust storms in western India, particularly Rajasthan, which increased coarser particles in the air, the Central Pollution Control Board said. The PM10 level (presence of particles with the diameter less than 10mm) was beyond severe at 796 in Delhi-NCR and 830 in Delhi particularly, leading to hazy conditions.
Looking at this alarming situation an emergency meeting was held in Delhi which was chaired by the Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal and involved agencies like the PWD, DMRC, DPCC, forest department, and EPCA, along with environment minister Imran Hussain. “We are stopping all civil construction activities across Delhi till 17th, June as a part of emergency measures to bring down the severe dust pollution,” said Lieutenant Governor. In addition, agencies engaged in civil construction activities like DMRC, NHAI, MCDs, and others, shall strictly enforce dust control measures at the construction sites.