New Delhi: The national capital continued to choke on Wednesday with the Delhi Government shutting all educational institutions until further orders, extending the ban on construction and demolition till November 21 and permitting work from home for its employees until Sunday.
Air quality index in Delhi was still recorded at very poor today, although it improved slightly amid decline in farm fires. The 24-hour average air quality index (AQI) in Delhi was 375 on Wednesday as against 403 on Tuesday.
The authorities, however, said no major improvement was likely till Sunday.
The IMD said relief was unlikely until after Sunday when calm wind conditions are predicted to emerge making dispersion of pollutants difficult. While the Centre reacted by ordering temporary suspension of five coal fired power plants around Delhi today, in line with the recommendations of the Commission for Air Quality Management under the Environment Ministry, the Delhi Government banned the entry of trucks carrying non-essential items in the city until further orders.
The AQI in areas adjoining Delhi was also very poor —Faridabad (378), Ghaziabad (361), Greater Noida (362), Gurugram (344) and Noida (356). Meanwhile, hospitals confirmed massive spike in the cases of children reporting to doctors with respiratory challenges.
Across the city, fire brigade machines will sprinkle water at 13 pollution hotspots identified by the government.
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- Machines to sprinkle water at 13 pollution hotspots in Delhi