Explorer

Delhi smog: EPCA recommends parking fees in Delhi-NCR be hiked four times

Delhi smog: The pollution level rose to dangerous levels, with 18 out of 21 active pollution monitoring stations recording "severe" air quality.

NEW DELHI: Environment body EPCA on Tuesday recommended that vehicle parking fees in Delhi-NCR should be quadrupled to curb worsening air quality in the capital as the high-pollution winter months kicked in. EPCA also instructed Delhi Metro to lower fares during off-peak hours for at least 10 days, introduce more coaches and frequent services The decision was taken at a meeting of the Supreme Court-appointed Environment Pollution Prevention and Control Authority (EPCA) here to discourage people from using private vehicles as air pollution worsened further and touched more alarming proportions on Tuesday. The authority said the national capital was facing a "crisis situation", which is likely to persist for the next few days. The body also instructed Delhi and neighbouring states -- Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan and Haryana -- to strengthen the public transport system by introducing more buses. Amongst the other measures, it directed a fine of Rs 50,000 on road construction agencies violating dust pollution norms in Delhi-NCR. The body asked the Delhi-NCR governments to start preparing for measures like odd-even and ban construction activities if pollution aggravates. The measures also include complete closure of brick kilns, hot mix plants and stone crushers across the region till further notice. The National Capital Region saw its worst air quality and smog situation of the year -- which was even worse than a day after Diwali, as a yellow blanket of smog hung heavily in the sky. The pollution level rose to dangerous levels, with 18 out of 21 active pollution monitoring stations recording "severe" air quality. (With inputs from agencies)
View More
Advertisement
Advertisement
25°C
New Delhi
Rain: 100mm
Humidity: 97%
Wind: WNW 47km/h
See Today's Weather
powered by
Accu Weather
Advertisement

Top Headline

LS Elections: Shinde Faction Of Shiv Sena Names First 8 Candidates, Gives Ticket To Rahul Shewale, Hemant Patil
LS Elections: Shinde Faction Of Shiv Sena Names First 8 Candidates
PM Modi Calls Congress A 'Bully' After Lawyers Write To CJI. Here's What He Said
PM Modi Calls Congress A 'Bully' After Lawyers Write To CJI. Here's What He Said
Mumbai Power Outage: No Electricity In Southern Parts Of Maharashtra Capital Due To Power Failure
Mumbai Power Outage: No Electricity In Southern Parts Of Maharashtra Capital Due To Power Failure
Kejriwal To Stay Delhi CM From Jail As High Court Finds 'No Legal Bar,' Ball In LG's Court Now
Kejriwal To Stay Delhi CM From Jail As High Court Finds 'No Legal Bar,' Ball In LG's Court Now
Advertisement
for smartphones
and tablets

Videos

Bihar Lok Sabha Polls 2024: ABP Exclusive With Papu Yadav, MP No Longer Contesting From PurniaVarun Gandhi Pens Emotional Letter To Pilibhit After Being Denied, Says 'Mai Aapka Hu Aur Rahunga'Delhi Excise Policy Case: With CM Arvind Kejriwal's Arrest, Who Will Run The State | Watch ReportLok Sabha Elections 2024: 'BJP Just Wants To Break The Aam Aadmi Party' says Saurabh Bhardwaj

Photogallery

Embed widget