Pollution severe, 3-day ban on construction across NCR

New Delhi: The Supreme Court appointed Environment Pollution Control Authority (EPCA) on Monday imposed a three-day ban on industrial activities in pollution hotspots and construction work across Delhi-NCR in view of the national capital’s “severe” air quality.

Delhi is facing its highest pollution level since Diwali. The city’s air quality remained in the ‘severe’ category for the third consecutive day on Monday as the wind speed and other meteorological factors remained “highly unfavourable” for dispersion of pollutants.

Industries located in hotspot industrial areas of Wazirpur, Mundka, Narela, Bawana, Sahibabad, and Faridabad will remain closed until Wednesday, EPCA chairperson Bhure Lal said in a letter to Delhi chief secretary Vijay Kumar Dev.

The EPCA has also banned all construction activities in Delhi, Faridabad, Gurgaon, Ghaziabad, and Noida till Wednesday.  The Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) said the ban comes into force from Monday itself and it is sending letters to industries and construction authorities to immediately halt the activities.

The EPCA directed the traffic police to deploy special teams and ensure congestion-free traffic flow, particularly in identified high traffic corridors.

“Concerned police department will strictly ensure that non-destined heavy duty vehicles travel through eastern and western peripheral expressways,” it said.

The concerned agencies have also been asked to ensure strict action against illegal industries; intensify ground action; and make all efforts to control polluting activities, particularly waste burning.