In view of the increasing cases of toxic air in Delhi, the Supreme Court has ordered the closure of all schools up to class 12 and starting online classes. Along with this, the Supreme Court has expressed strong displeasure with the Delhi government over the delay in implementing Group-4 restrictions in the National Capital Region i.e. National Capital Region.
The court has also directed the Atishi government to take necessary steps to improve the level of air pollution (AQI) in Delhi-NCR.
After the strict attitude of the Supreme Court, questions have started arising whether the Delhi government will once again implement the work from home and odd-even rule in the national capital. When Gopal Rai, who was the Environment Minister in the Atishi government, arrived to hold a press conference at 4 pm on Monday, these questions were on everyone’s mind.
Gopal Roy said in the press conference, ‘Today the whole of North India is in the grip of severe pollution. The elderly are having difficulty breathing. Children’s schools have to be closed. This is having a bad effect on people’s lives. Today in North India, AQI was recorded at 477 in Bahadurgarh, 468 in Bhiwani, 472 in Churu, 448 in Gurugram.
Gopal Rai accused the Center.
The Environment Minister of Delhi Government also said, ‘The effect of pollution is becoming fatal in the entire North India. We have to say with great sadness that the Central Government is sleeping in such a bad condition. When half the country is in the grip of pollution. In such a situation, the Center should work together with all the governments, but it is dangerous for the Union Environment Minister to be asleep, he said that BS-4 vehicles are running all around in Delhi.
If the Center had made a correct action plan, then the people of Delhi and the country would not have to see such a situation. What did Gopal Roy say about odd-even and working from home?
Gopal Roy said, ‘Angoor-4 has been implemented in Delhi. We have held a meeting with the officials and have given instructions to implement it strictly. Along with this he said, ‘I demand that the Central Government should hold a meeting immediately and save the entire North India from pollution.’
When asked about working from home at a press conference in Delhi, Gopal Roy said that he will take a decision after reading the Supreme Court order. On the odd-even implementation, he said, ‘We are monitoring now, we will take whatever steps are necessary.’
Is artificial rain the solution to pollution?
On this question, Gopal Roy said, ‘Experts say that this is not a solution. If you are asking any question then let us tell you that we have to do this and we have to take permission from the central government. But a decision will be taken when the meeting is held. Scientists at IIT Kanpur will tell how it will happen, we will tell about the cost, but we have not been telling for the last two and a half months.