The Delhi government has told the Supreme Court that it is ready to take steps like a complete lockdown to fight air pollution though it will have a limited effect, as the court asked for an emergency plan to tackle the capital’s air quality crisis.
Delhi’s air pollution was a “crisis situation”, the judges said, sharply pulling up the city government for “lame excuses” and “passing the buck”, and insisting on immediate steps as the Supreme Court resumed its hearing on Monday.
Meanwhile, Supreme Court has also asked the Centre and the state government to respond by tomorrow evening over which industries can be stopped, what vehicles can be prevented from plying, and which power plants can be stopped. It also asked them to suggest ways to provide alternative power.
A visible improvement in Delhi’s air quality was recorded on Sunday, but it remained in the ‘very poor’ category. Environment Minister Gopal Rai said his government will submit a lockdown proposal to the Supreme Court on Monday to reduce pollution further. The national capital recorded a 24-hour average air quality index (AQI) of 330 on Sunday compared to 437 the previous day as emissions from farm fires in Haryana and Punjab dropped significantly.
The AQI was around 471 on Friday, the worst this season so far.
