Amid the deteriorating air quality in Delhi and the NCR region, the Delhi Government has urged the Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan governments to consider banning the entry of diesel buses from their respective states into the national capital. Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai today wrote to the transport ministers of these states, highlighting that diesel buses emit a considerable amount of harmful pollutants, which can cause respiratory diseases and other health issues. The city government has also appealed to citizens to turn off their vehicles on the road when the red light is on under the “Red Light On, Gaadi Off” program. Meanwhile, the Air Quality Index in the National Capital Region has spiked past 300.

In view of this, an 11-point action plan under Stage 2 of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) has been invoked across the National Capital Region from today. The decision was made during the meeting of the sub-committee of the Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR and Adjoining Areas in New Delhi. The committee has urged citizens to avoid dust-generating construction activities from October to January. It has also asked for the avoidance of open burning of solid waste and biomass.

Furthermore, mechanical vacuum sweeping and water sprinkling will be carried out on identified roads in Delhi-NCR daily. Focused and targeted action for the abatement of air pollution in all identified hotspots will also be undertaken. The agencies will ensure synchronization of traffic movement and deploy adequate personnel at congestion points for the smooth flow of traffic. Besides, the committee has also called for increasing the frequency of services for CNG and electric buses and urged citizens to use public transport.