Pollution high alert in Delhi , These are the reason for the pollution

NP NEWS 24 ONLINE –Pre-emptive measures to contain air pollution, which is likely to worsen in the next 10 days, may force a partial shutdown of the national capital between November 1 and November 10. The measures the authorities will enforce include ban on construction activities and shut down of at least one industrial area for the next 10 days.

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The Supreme Court-appointed body Environment Pollution (Prevention and Control) Authority (EPCA) has also warned that it could even ban private vehicles or introduce odd and even road rationing measures in the coming days after consulting the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) task force.

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“These measures are pre-emptive and go beyond what is stipulated in the Grap. These measures are being introduced keeping in mind the forecast and the need for emergency actions to combat pollution,” said Bhure Lal, chairman of EPCA.

Here are the key contributors to Delhi pollution

Burning of crop residue

Burning of paddy straw crop residue in Punjab and Haryana is believed to be the main source of air pollution in Delhi. In November 2016, the Ministry of Environment referred to an IIT-Kanpur report which suggested that the crop residue burning and other biomass emissions in neighbouring states may be transported to the national capital from the sources upwind of Delhi. Later, the government banned the stubble burning in Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan and even imposed a penalty on those found violating the rule. That, however, failed to deter the practice.

Old vehicles

Old vehicles are another major contributor to air pollution. In 2015, the National Green Tribunal had banned the petrol vehicles older than 15 years and diesel vehicles older than 10 years in Delhi-NCR. Earlier this week, the Supreme Court asked the Central Pollution Control Board to prepare a list of those vehicles older than 10 years and impound them if they come on the road.

Construction

The dust emanating from construction works directly affects air quality. Supreme Court-appointed Environment Pollution Control Authority recently asked the Delhi Pollution Control Committee to stop all construction activities including excavation in Delhi and other NCR districts from November 1-10.

Power Plants

Thermal power plants around Delhi are also considered as a major source of pollution in the national capital. However, the government has shut down the Badarpur Thermal Power Plant from October 15. Delhi is surrounded by multiple power plants such as the Badarpur power plant and NTPC power plant.

Earlier this year, WHO released a report which listed the major sources of air pollution from particulate matter. Among the reasons that pollute air are coal-fired power plants, waste burning, sand and desert dust, deforestation and inefficient use of energy by households, industry, agriculture and transport sectors.

The measures, many of which are pre-emptive, include:

·       All construction activities involving excavation and civil construction will be banned in Delhi-NCR between November 1 and November 10.

·       Industries using coal and biomass as fuel will stop functioning in Delhi-NCR between November 4 and November 10. This does not apply to power plants (except Badarpur) and wastes to energy plants

·       Usage of diesel generator sets in Delhi remains banned

·       Brick kilns in NCR will be shut between November 1 and November 10

·       Patrol teams to impose fines on violators for garbage burning, industrial air pollution, dust mismanagement and visibly polluting vehicles