Delhi Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal on Thursday ordered all civil construction activities across the national capital to be stopped till Sunday as part of emergency measures to reduce severe dust pollution.
On Wednesday, the city’s air quality deteriorated beyond the “severe” level because of a dust storm in western India. The Central Pollution Control Board’s data showed that the level of PM 10 particles – the concentration of particulate matter of diameter less than 10 microns – was 778 in Delhi and the National Capital Region on Wednesday morning. An Air Quality Index reading up to 50 is considered “good” and up to 100 is considered “satisfactory”. A reading between 401 and 500 is ranked “severe” on the index, which means the air is dangerously filled with pollutants.
“Held emergency meeting in view of severe dust pollution in Delhi with minister Imran Hussain and [government] officials,” Baijal tweeted on Thursday. “Emergency measures like stoppage of all civil construction activities till June 17 [have been approved].”
Baijal said agencies like the National Highway Authority of India, the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation, the municipal corporations and the Public Works Department will monitor his orders to ensure compliance.
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