To curb Delhi pollution, NGT directs shut down of thermal power plants, construction activities

NGT also prescribed a state of "environment emergency" subject to threshold and directed emergency measures to be taken if pollution level increases in the national capital.

New Delhi, Nov 10: National Green Tribunal (NGT) on Thursday directed temporary shut down of thermal power plants and closure of all construction activities to curb pollution in Delhi. NGT also prescribed a state of “environment emergency” subject to threshold and directed emergency measures to be taken if pollution level increases in the national capital.

With an increase in smog in the national capital, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Sunday ordered shutting down of schools till Wednesday. Around 2,500 municipal schools were shut down and construction works were banned for five days. Power plant were also shut down temporarily while there were reports of of cloud-seeding to bring in artificial rains over the city. (ALSO READ- Delhi Pollution: Arvind Kejriwal announces emergency measures, odd-even likely to return)

Kejriwal had also appealed to the people to stay indoors and work from home if possible, considering the worsening situation. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Chief had said that the Delhi government was also trying the possibility of bringing back the odd-even car rationing scheme. The NGT on Tuesday banned construction activities for one week in Delhi and National Capital Region. The tribunal also said that stone crusher and brick kiln should not operate for one week in the region. Kejriwal also said the use of all diesel gen-sets has been prohibited for the next five days beginning Monday, while emergency services like hospitals and mobile towers can ply.

In an attempt to bring down pollutants in the national capital, Delhi government decided to shut down the coal- based Badarpur power plant, for 10 days from Monday. The plant generates around 300MW of power. The government had also decided that the PWD would carry out water sprinkling on roads of 100-foot width from Monday at least once a week, to bring down dust. (ALSO READ: NGT raps AAP govt over smog and pollution crisis in Delhi, demands explanation)

Kejriwal also said that the government would strictly enforce the ban on burning of leaves and other waste. He had said that officers concerned would be held accountable for any lapses in their respective areas of jurisdiction. The Delhi CM said that the city has turned into a “gas chamber” due to large-scale crop burning in Haryana and Punjab.

To combat air pollution and prepare an emergency action plan, NGT on Wednesday proposed constitution of a central committee of chief secretaries from five states including Delhi, Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh.