EPCA declares public health emergency in Delhi, bans all construction activities till Nov 5

A Supreme Court-mandated panel on Friday declared a public health emergency in Delhi-NCR in view of alarming levels of air pollution and imposed a ban on all construction activities till November 5.

The Central Pollution Control Board task force convened an urgent meeting to enforce the ban on all construction activities till November 5 and also ordered closure of coal-based industries (except power plants) in NCR towns of Faridabad, Gurgaon, Ghaziabad, Noida, Greater Noida, Sonepat, and Bahadurgarh and non-PNG industries in Delhi.

According to the minutes of the meeting of CPCB, brick Kilns may also remain closed till November 5 and people have been advised to minimize their exposure and limit outdoor activities during the period.

As the pollution levels in the region entered the "severe plus" category early Friday morning, the Environment Pollution (Prevention and Control) Authority also banned bursting of crackers during the winter season.

In a letter to chief secretaries of Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh, EPCA Chairman Bhure Lal said, "The air quality in Delhi and NCR deteriorated further last night and is now at the severe plus level. We have to take this as a public heath emergency as it will have adverse health impacts on all, particularly our children."