New Delhi: The air pollution in Delhi and neighbouring states are spiking to dangerous levels prompting the Delhi government to close schools till 5 November, hoping the air quality will improve by that time. The Central government conveyed a high level meeting to review the situation.
Today, heavy and toxic smog covered the sky above Delhi and other neighbouring states as the pollution levels rose to a three year high. The average Air Quality Index (AQI) in New Delhi stood at 494 today.
The Delhi government had ordered the schools shut till 5 November. The low visibility due to smog at the Delhi airport has led to the diversion of 37 flights to other airports.
Weather experts hopes for rainfall to clear the sky of the pollutants.
Meanwhile, the Principal Secretary to Prime Minister, P. K. Mishra, held high level meetings with states of Punjab, Haryana, and Delhi. Mishra reviewed the situation in the meeting.
The issue of stubble burning, construction activities, burning of wastes and industrial and vehicular pollution which have contributed to the poor air quality was reviewed in the high level meeting.
The meeting also decided that Cabinet Secretary, Rajiv Guaba, will monitor the situation with the states on a daily basis and the Chief Secretaries of the states will monitor the situation in the districts. Around 300 teams are on the ground of New Delhi to tackle the issues of air pollution. Similarly, the Central government have made arrangements in Punjab and Haryana and machineries have been provided to the states.
