1. 50 teams of CPCB deployed for extensive field visits to prevent crop burning
The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has deployed 50 teams for extensive field visits to ensure strict vigilance.
The teams will visit Delhi and nearby cities like Noida, Ghaziabad, Meerut, Gurugram, Faridabad, Ballabgarh, Jhajjar, Panipat and Sonepat. CPCB will also closely monitor Alwar and Bharatpur in Rajasthan, and the vigil against pollution will continue till February 28 next year. CPCB teams will monitor sources of pollution at ground level and polluting activities for immediate action.
2. Use of diesel, petrol, kerosene generators banned
The Delhi government
has banned use of diesel generators, except those needed for essential or emergency services like hospitals and railways in Delhi. "Delhi Pollution
Control Committee hereby bans the operation of electricity generator sets of all capacities, run on diesel, petrol or kerosene in Delhi with effect from October 15 till further orders, excluding those used for essential or emergency services,” the official order read.
3. When the situation turns "severe", GRAP recommends closure of brick kilns, stone crushers and hot mix plants, sprinkling of water, frequent mechanised cleaning of roads and maximising power generation from natural gas.
4. The measures to be followed in the "emergency" situation include stopping entry of trucks in Delhi and ban on construction activities
What are the contributors to Delhi's pollution
Severe air pollution in Delhi is a year-round problem, which can be attributed to unfavourable meteorological conditions, farm fires in neighbouring regions and local sources of pollution.
1. Crop burning
Crop burning is responsible for 19% of Delhi's air pollution, according to SAFAR.
According to an analysis by the Council on Energy, Environment and Water, a Delhi-based think tank, transportation contributes the most -- 18 to 39 per
cent -- to Delhi's air pollution.
3. Road dust
Road dust is the second largest source of air pollution in the city (18 to 38 per cent)
(2 to 29 per cent)
5. Thermal power plants
(3 to 11 per cent)
(8 per cent)
With Delhi-NCR bracing for months of poor air quality, experts have warned that high levels of air pollution can aggravate the Covid-19 pandemic.