Delhi Chokes Under 'Severe' Air Pollution: Ban On App-Cabs, Artificial Rain Proposed | Top Updates

Delhi Air Quality Deteriorates: Delhi's residents awoke to yet another day of hazardous air conditions, with the air quality remaining at a 'severe' level on Thursday morning, as reported by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).

In response to the worsening air quality, the Delhi government announced a rescheduling of the December winter break for all schools. It will now take place from November 9 to November 18.

Concurrently, the Haryana government has taken stringent actions against stubble burning, issuing 1,256 challans, imposing fines exceeding ₹32 lakh, and filing 72 FIRs, according to chief secretary Sanjeev Kaushal's statement on Wednesday.

As Delhi's air quality once again deteriorated to the 'severe' category on Wednesday, with a 24-hour average Air Quality Index (AQI) of 426, Delhi's mayor, Shelly Oberoi, cited open burning of garbage, construction waste dumping, and the use of tandoors in restaurants as major contributors to the rising air pollution in the national capital.

Here are the latest updates on air pollution in Delhi NCR:

• In a novel approach to combat air pollution, Delhi plans to induce rain for the first time. Delhi's environment minister, Gopal Rai, announced that a proposal for rainmaking, drafted by experts, will be presented to the Supreme Court on Friday. This technique involves cloud seeding, using substances like silver iodine to induce precipitation, and is slated for an attempt around November 20.
• Rai also mentioned the possibility of implementing the odd-even car rationing scheme in Delhi, contingent on a Supreme Court review of its effectiveness and issuance of an order. Additionally, app-based taxis may be banned as per Supreme Court directives, though the exact timing of this ban is yet to be clarified.
• The Haryana government reported that 90% of paddy harvesting in the state has been completed, and measures to combat stubble burning are being intensified.
• In Gautam Buddh Nagar, district magistrate Manish Verma urged industries and builders to enhance anti-pollution measures at their sites. He directed government officials to enforce penalties against those violating NGT norms in Noida and Greater Noida. Construction activities in the district have been temporarily banned, except for hospitals and the Noida International Airport in Jewar.