Delhi Air Pollution: No Entry For Trucks With Non-essential Items, Schools To Remain Shut

In wake of toxic air pollution, Delhi government's transport department has banned the entry of trucks, barring those carrying essential items, with immediate effect in the national capital till November 21 or any further orders.

The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) on Tuesday issued directions to stop the entry of trucks in Delhi, except those carrying essential commodities, till November 21, subject to further review of extension of this date.

Delhi environment minister Gopal Rai said that the state government has decided to shut schools, colleges, and other educational institutions till further orders and extend the ban on construction and demolition activities till November 21.

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Delhi to hire 1,000 private CNG buses

The Delhi government will hire 1,000 private CNG buses to increase the public transport system as an emergency measure to curb vehicular pollution in the capital.

¡°The process to hire 1000 private CNG buses to increase public transport in Delhi will begin tomorrow. Metro-DTC has written to DDMA that the decision of allowing people only by sitting be reviewed. Standing in the metro or DTC wasn¡¯t allowed due to Covid,¡± Rai added.

The Centre has asked all its employees posted in the National Capital Region (NCR) to use public transport as far as possible while going to offices, a Personnel Ministry order said.

BCCL

Earlier, the Supreme Court, which heard the air crisis matter, said debates on TV news channels are causing more pollution than anybody with statements made in the court being taken out of context.

A bench headed by Chief Justice N V Ramana said everyone has their own agenda and statements are taken out of context in these debates.

¡°You want to use some issue, make us observe and then make it controversial, and then only blame games will remain..,¡± observed the bench also comprising Justices D Y Chandrachud and Surya Kant.

PTI

Debates on TV are creating more pollution than anybody. They don¡¯t understand what is happening and what is the issue. Statements are taken out of context. Everyone has their own agenda. We can¡¯t help and we can¡¯t control. We are focusing on working out the solution,¡± it said.

Delhi's air quality has been in the severe category with negligible fluctuation and is expected to remain toxic till at least Sunday.