SC Updates on rising Pollution rate in Delhi: Flying Squads are formed

Environment Minister Mr. Rai announced to shut the schools till further order

New Delhi: The capital is in red after being shrouded in a smoggy sky. Due to the rising pollution rates Supreme Court banned the construction site in the capital and its NCR. The SC is also hearing a case related to the construction ban.

On Thursday, Supreme Court expressed dissatisfaction with the measures taken over the last few weeks. Warning of strict action, the court gave a 24-hour ultimatum to the centre, Delhi, and neighbouring states to act against industrial and vehicular pollution - counted as the main causes behind the deteriorating air quality.

The capital is facing the impact of pollution since post-Diwali night. The SC has issued some ways to tackle pollution.

An enforcement task force and flying squads have been formed to ensure that the air pollution norms are followed, the Centre told the Supreme Court this morning.

SC had yesterday warned the government that it would have to do something extraordinary if the authorities failed to control pollution. The court had given the Centre and Delhi government 24 hours to submit suggestions on how to control the pollution in the national capital.

The air quality in the national capital slipped into the "severe" zone again on Thursday with unfavourable meteorological conditions allowing the accumulation of pollutants.

Delhi's 24-hour average air quality index read 429. Neighbouring Faridabad (428), Ghaziabad (347), Greater Noida (356), Gurugram (377) and Noida (408) also recorded a dip in the air quality.

The Environment Minister Gopal Rai announced said to shut the schools from tomorrow till further orders over the air crisis.

Minister Mr Rai also added that "We had reopened schools considering the forecast that air quality would improve. However, the air pollution levels have increased again and we have decided to shut schools from Friday till further orders."