Delhi’s air quality index (AQI) is at emergency levels again on Wednesday with an overall count of 476 and not much relief is expected for the next two days till Friday.
Drivers and cyclists make their way along a road under heavy smog conditions in New Delhi on November 12, 2019. (Photo by Money SHARMA / AFP)
As the National Capital continues to battle severe air pollution, the Supreme Court has asked the Central government to explore the possibility of using hydrogen-based fuel technology to find solutions to combat air pollution. The government told the court that it is exploring technology, including those from Japan, to tackle air pollution. Centre to submit a report on it by December 3.
“In our view, little constructive efforts have been made by the government and other stakeholders to find a solution to the problem,” a top court bench, led by outgoing Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi, said. “The whole of north India, NCR is suffering from the issue of air pollution,” the court said.
Supreme court has also asked the Delhi government and CPCB (Central Pollution Control Board) to provide Air Quality Index (AQI) data from the date of introducing odd-even scheme till November 14 and to provide Air Quality Index (AQI) data from October 1 to December 31 of the last year.
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The noxious haze returned to Delhi and its suburbs on Tuesday with raging stubble fires in neighbouring states, fall in the temperature and wind speed pushing the city’s air quality in the “severe” zone. The government has been asked to submit a report on the feasibility of using hydrogen-based fuel technology by December 3.
The overall air quality index (AQI) in the city was 494 on Wednesday morning, according to the monitoring agency SAFAR. The index measures the levels of airborne PM 2.5 – particles that can reach deep into the lungs.
The Delhi government is also deliberating on extending the odd-even scheme after the AQI spiked on November 11 and 12 when the scheme was not in effect.
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