NHAI issues directions to officials to help reduce air pollution in Delhi-NCR

The chairman of NHAI (National Highways Authority of India) has issued specific instructions to the field officials to take all possible steps to reduce contribution of the highways sector towards air pollution in the Delhi-NCR region.

The steps to be taken by NHAI include: water sprinkling at all construction sites and camps, covering of all construction material / waste, including flyash, being transported in the Delhi NCR region, adherence to the air quality norms by all plants and machinery, covering of exposed soil, etcetera.

He instructed the officials to inspect the construction sites regularly to ensure that all the pollution control measures are adhered to in a strict manner.

A thick layer of smog has engulfed entire Delhi-NCR region since Tuesday morning. On Wednesday, the air quality index of Delhi's Lodhi Road area fell under 'severe' category with high particulate matter at 10 and 2.5.

Considering the severe pollution levels, Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia announced on Wednesday that all schools and colleges in Delhi will remain shut till Sunday due to alarming levels of pollution.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal also on Wednesday sent a letter to chief ministers of neighbouring Punjab and Haryana states, urging them to work jointly to resolve the air pollution issue.

"We have to jointly work to resolve such issues in a spirit of mutual cooperation in larger public interest to improve the air quality. One of the main reasons of air pollution in the national capital is the stubble burning in Punjab and Haryana," the letter read.

He also urged the chief ministers of the two states to conduct a meeting in the coming days over the issue.