Get pollution in Delhi under control, NGT warns chief secretary

With Delhiites left with nothing but to choke in the smoggy weather conditions ever since Diwali, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) on Thursday directed Delhi Chief Secretary K.K. Sharma to hold an urgent meeting with all concerned authorities on the issue pollution.

The NGT also directed Sharma to file a status report by tomorrow.

"The court has asked us to file a report. The court has asked Delhi government to hold a meeting today under the chairmanship of chief secretary. The court has asked to take preventive measures, short emergence step to curb the pollution," said Advocate Puja Kalra (North and South Municipal corporation of Delhi.

For the past three days, Delhiites have been inhaling copious amounts of particulate matter (PM) - both 2.5 micrometers and 10 micrometers - composed of dust, dirt, smoke, chemicals, etc., a deadly combination which enters the blood stream through one's lungs and causes cancer.

As per System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research (SAFAR), levels of Particulate Matter (PM) 10 levels reached a record 500 mark on Wednesday.

The city witnessed low visibility and smog throughout Wednesday evening and night. The reasons for this are a drop in wind speed and rise in humidity in the atmosphere. Such severe pollution levels can cause breathing problems, lung and heart diseases among many other ailments.