In the wake of alarming pollution levels and toxic haze covering Delhi, the Arvind Kejriwal government has decided to once again implement the Odd-Even traffic rule in the national capital next week from November 13-17.
PM levels in Delhi are at an all-time high. Heavy smog has continued to engulf the city for a third day today. Meanwhile, the authorities have shut down schools for the rest of the week.
A number of measures including four-time hike in Metro parking fare, increase in parking fare across the city, more metro trips have been implemented to help curb the problem.
Kejriwal wrote to chief ministers of Haryana and Punjab to find a solution to stubble burning in their states, which is also a cause of smog in the national capital.
LATEST UPDATES:
The Delhi government has decided to implement the third phase of Odd-Even in Delhi from November 13.
Environment minister Harsh Vardhan speaking to the media has said that the citizens need not panic as the authorities are taking the necessary steps. He also advised people to stay indoors and take extra care of children.
If everyone, central govt, UP, Punjab and Haryana govt, come together and put aside politics a solution can be found: Kejriwal.
Until state governments don't find economically viable solutions to crop burning, it will not stop: Kejriwal.
Decision on Odd-Even formula will be taken by today or tomorrow, if need arises: Kejriwal.
The high increase in PM levels in Delhi is not just due to local reasons, people and the govt of Delhi are ready to take all steps but these steps will not be enough until a solution to crop burning is found: Kejriwal.
For a month from mid-Oct to mid-Nov, the whole northern India becomes a gas chamber, not just Delhi, says Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal.
The National Green Tribunal has directed pollution control boards of all states to monitor the situation closely. No industrial activities to be carried out in Delhi till next hearing.
NGT stressed that it is the responsibility of the govenment to ensure "clean and conducive" environment for the citizens, ANI reported. PM 10 and PM 2.5 levels at an all time high, pollution is a joint responsibility of all stakeholders.
View photos
NGT slams Delhi government, MCD and neighbouring states on the worsening condition of pollution in Delhi and neighbouring areas. "It is shameful for all the parties in this matter on what they're passing on to the next generation," NGT said.
View photos
Environment Pollution Control Authority says decision on implementation of odd-even scheme likely to be taken later today. If implemented this will be the third phase of odd-even policy in the national capital. The policy was first introduced in January 2016 to help curb the increasing pollution in Delhi.
Haryana chief minister Mohan Lal Khattar addresses the media, says Haryana has taken all possible measures. Will sit and talk with Punjab and Central government if asked to do so, ANI reported.
After the deadly smog in Delhi, the hazardous weather conditions have hit the state of Uttar Pradesh with various cities recording dangerously poor air quality, officials said on Thursday. The Air Quality Index (AQI) of Noida has been noted as the worst in the state in the past 24-hours. (IANS)
Schools in Punjab shut till November 11. The Punjab authorities have decided to shut down schools on 10 and 11 November due to heavy smog.
Former J&K CM Omar Abdullah tweeted about visiting Delhi. Heading to Smogistan - Abdullah tweeted.
While Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal reached out to Amarinder Singh regarding the problem of stubble burning, reports suggest that stubble burning is still happening in Haryana's Rohtak.
Flights have also been affected due to the smog/fog condition in Delhi. 12 flight departures were delayed while 13 arrivals have been delayed.
Trains are arriving late due to low visibility. 41 trains are late, while 9 have been rescheduled and 10 cancelled.
According to SAFAR data, PM 10 levels in Delhi today are at 820 ugm-3 and PM 2.5 levels are at 517 ugm-3.