To check pollution levels, the Delhi government has reimposed the ban on construction and demolition activities until further orders. The government has also promised to distribute Rs 5,000 each to all the construction workers. The government has also banned the entry of non-electric goods trucks till 7 December.
The third phase of the “Red light on Gaadi off” campaign will run till 18 December. People who violate rules against open burning will be imposed a penalty of over Rs 28 lakh. However, schools and government offices opened on Monday. In a written reply to Lok Sabha, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has said that the AQI of Delhi is indicating an improvement in air quality from 2019 to 2020 as the number of “good”, “satisfactory” and “moderate” categories increased in 2020.
Meanwhile, a Supreme Court bench comprising Chief Justice N.V. Ramana, Justices D.Y. Chandrachud and Surya Kant has asked Delhi, Punjab, Haryana and UP governments to explain the steps they have taken in compliance with the directions by the commission for Air Quality Management in Delhi-NCR. The Solicitor General Tushar Mehta submitted some directions which have been complied with, while there was a lack of information in complying with the other orders.
During the hearing, the Chief Justice of India remarked, “Regarding non-compliance of directions… We can only ask each state to comply by the day after tomorrow and take this up then. If it is not complied with, then we have to appoint an independent task force.”
From the petitioner’s side, the senior advocate Vikas Singh said, “There was a construction ban. But Central Vista construction is in full swing right under the nose of the Supreme Court.” The court has asked for responses from the Solicitor General on this aspect too. The matter will again be heard on 2 December.
AAP leader Vishesh Ravi told The Daily Guardian: “The Delhi government has been following almost all the directions. We are all trying out other ways to curb pollution so that in future, the problem of pollution doesn’t arise.” The Air Quality Index (AQI) of Delhi remained in the “severe” category on Monday.