Delhi Govt Extends Ban On Entry Of Trucks, WFH For Its Staff Till Nov 26

Mumbai: Delhi government has extended the ban on the entry of trucks carrying non-essential items into the city and work from home for its employees till November 26 to combat air pollution and minimise its health effects.

While the order issued by the environment department did not clarify whether the ban on construction and demolition activities would continue, a senior official said the ban has been lifted.

He said that as per the instructions of the Air Quality Management Commission (CAQM), schools and colleges will remain closed till further orders.

A senior central government official said the CAQM will hold a review meeting on November 23.

“Given the very poor air quality forecast and widespread air pollution from vehicular pollution and the release of harmful air pollutants, especially when the air quality is very poor, it is felt that there is a need for further extension of restrictions on vehicular traffic. There is agitation in Delhi,” said the order issued by the Environment Department.

“The entry of trucks into Delhi is closed except for trucks carrying essential commodities till November 26, subject to further review for extension of this date,” it said.

“All offices of GNCTs/Autonomous Bodies/Corporations of Delhi shall remain closed till November 26, except those involved in essential and emergency services…However, all officers/officers shall work from home,” the order said.

Following the CAQM orders, the Delhi government on Wednesday issued 10 directions, including a ban on the entry of trucks carrying non-essential goods into the city and closure of schools and colleges till further orders.

It had also banned construction and demolition activities in the city and ordered its employees to work from home till Sunday (November 21).

Ahead of the Supreme Court hearing on air pollution in the region, the commission on Tuesday held an emergency meeting with senior officials from Delhi and the NCR states of Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan.

According to the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology’s air quality early warning system for Delhi, the air quality is likely to remain in the “poor to moderate” category on Monday and Tuesday.

The air quality is also likely to remain in the “low to the very poor category” for the next five days.

On Sunday, winds gusting up to 20 kmph lashed the city, partially dispersing the pollutants and improving visibility.

The city recorded its 24-hour average air quality index (AQI) at 349, up from 374 on Saturday. Neighbours Faridabad (377), Ghaziabad (319), Gurugram (364) and Noida (322) also recorded air quality in the “very poor” category.

An AQI between zero and 50 is considered “good”, 51 and 100 “satisfactory”, 101 and 200 “moderate”, 201 and 300 “poor”, 301 and 400 “very poor”, and 401 and 500 “severe”.

R K Jenamani, a senior scientist at the India Meteorological Department (IMD), said the wind speed reached up to 20 kmph during the day, improving visibility from 800 metres in the morning to the range of 2,200 to 3,000 metres at the Indira Gandhi International Airport and the Safdarjung Airport.

Winds gusting up to 30 kilometres per hour are likely on Monday, the IMD said.

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