New delhi: India's government's air quality management regulator announced on Tuesday the implementation of more stringent anti-pollution measures in New Delhi and its surrounding areas as the air quality reached "severe" levels.
According to Thai News Agency, the Commission for Air Quality Management initiated its Graded Response Action Plan Phase 3 on Tuesday. This decision was made after evaluating current air quality trends to prevent further deterioration of the situation. The new measures include a ban on non-essential construction activities and restrictions on industrial operations that utilize polluting fuels.
Data from the Central Pollution Control Board indicated that Delhi's Air Quality Index (AQI) exceeded 400 at several monitoring stations on Tuesday morning, classifying it within the "severe" range. In contrast, "good" air quality is represented by AQI readings below 50.
The implementation of these measures follows protests over the weekend at the India Gate monument, where police detained several individuals demanding urgent actions for cleaner air, marking a rare public demonstration in the capital against pollution.
Government satellite data has pointed to an increase in crop stubble burning since early November, a practice used by farmers to prepare their land for subsequent planting. Historically, stubble burning has been a significant pollution source in northern India. However, the Indian government reported that the total number of agricultural burning activities from September 15 to November 9 this year was significantly lower compared to last year.