Delhi's air quality worsened on Saturday. Even many areas of the capital reached 'severe category'. The authorities intensified their action by imposing a fine of around Rs 5.85 crore on the first day of pollution control measures under the third phase of the Phased Response Action Plan (GRAP).
According to the information, AQI of the country's capital Delhi reached 417 on Saturday. It was 396 on Friday. According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), air quality in the severe category poses a threat to healthy individuals and has a serious impact on people with existing health problems.
According to data shared by CPCB, out of 39 monitoring stations in Delhi, air quality was in the 'severe category' at all places except Sri Aurobindo Marg, where the AQI level was above 400. After the restrictions under the third phase of GRAP came into effect on Friday, the authorities have intensified action against those violating the rules. Traffic police, transport department and other teams have also been punishing those who violate the rules.
Delhi Traffic Police on Friday issued around 550 challans for violation of the ban on movement of BS3 petrol and BS4 diesel vehicles. In which a fine of more than Rs 1 crore was imposed on the first day of sanctions under the third phase of GRAP.
During the inspection of buses at the Kashmere Gate Interstate Bus Terminal on Saturday, Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai alleged that the BJP-ruled neighboring states were increasing air pollution in the capital by sending BS-4 diesel buses despite the ban. Pointing to states like Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan, Gopal Rai said, BJP governments are deliberately sending buses running on diesel in Delhi, which are banned under the current guidelines, which is making air pollution worse.
As part of efforts to tackle pollution, Gopal Rai announced that a total of 84 enforcement teams of the transport department and 280 teams of traffic police have been deployed to ensure strict enforcement of the ban.
