As the city’s air quality remained in the severe category, Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai called a meeting of all government ministers this afternoon to discuss possible actions.
The overall Air Quality Index (AQI) in the National Capital continues to be in the ‘severe’ category, as per the data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). Toxic smog continued to persist over several parts of the city on Thursday morning.
As per the Office of the Environment Minister, the meeting will be attended by Finance and Revenue Minister Atishi, Health Minister Saurabh Bhardwaj, Transport Minister Kailash Gehlot, Social Welfare Minister Rajkumar Anand and Food and Supply Minister Imran Hussain.
The meeting will be held at the Delhi Secretariat at 12:30 p.m.
“In view of the serious situation of pollution in Delhi, Environment Minister Gopal Rai called a meeting of all the ministers of Delhi,” officials said.
The System of Air Quality Forecasting and Research (SAFAR-India) released data showing that the AQI in Anand Vihar was 432 (severe category), and 453 (severe category) in the RK Puram area. While ITO is at 441 (severe category), Punjab Bagh’s air quality was measured at 444 (severe category).
The Supreme Court on Tuesday expressed grave concern over the hazardous air quality in the national capital and directed that farmers should stop stubble burning forthwith in Punjab, Haryana, and western Uttar Pradesh, saying it was one of the major contributors to air pollution.
It also observed that schemes like odd-even for vehicles to tackle pollution issues mere optics.