New Delhi: The Delhi Metro has announced that will operate 40 more train services daily in the wake of rising pollution and GRAP Stage 2 measures being enforced in the city. The air quality in Delhi is consistently worsening ahead of Diwali. This prompted Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai to announce several anti-pollution measures on Tuesday.
These measures include – additional metro trips, ovee 6,000 MCD staff being deployed for road dust control, 1,800 additional traffic personnel to be deployed at 97 congestion points. Rai added that he is planning to speak to his counterparts in the adjoining states of Uttar Pradesh and Haryana, and request them not to send diesel buses into Delhi.
Rai said, “With the change in weather in Delhi, we are also witnessing an increase in pollution levels. This trend is not limited to Delhi; it is being observed across North India as well. The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has established four levels to control pollution. Currently, the Air Quality Index (AQI) is above 300, which has led to the implementation of GRAP Stage II.”
Measures to curb air pollution in Delhi
- Apart from the measures mentioned above, Rai said inspections will be intensified at all construction-demolition (C&D) sites as a part of GRAP-II measures.
- Delhi Metro will run 40 extra train trips everyday from Wednesday.
- Frequency of DTC buses will also be increased.
- Water spraying on roads will be increased and the MCD will deploy 6,200 workers for this.
Meanwhile, the citizens have been advised to follow the pollution control guidelines and restrictions and help the concerned authorities in effective implementation of GRAP measures. The CAQM advised citizens to use public transport and reduce use of private vehicles; take less congested route and follow traffic advisories, regularly replace air filters at in their vehicles, avoid dust generating construction activities from October to January, and avoid open burning of solid waste and bio-mass.
