Delhi government decides to implement the 'OddEven' scheme starting Monday to beat pollution
New Delhi, Nov 9 (IBNS): The Delhi government, on Thursday, decided to re-implement its much debated OddEven' plan for cars as the national capital region continues to reel under dense smog, according to media reports.
City Transport Minister Kailash Gahlot said that the 'OddEven' scheme will be enforced in Delhi for five-day period from Monday.
The region has been suffering from intense smog over the past few days, which has forced the administration to declare an 'emergency'.
Life have been thrown out of gear in many places, with schools shut, accidents on highways, delay in train and flight timings, etc.
The National Green Tribunal has banned construction and industrial activities in Delhi-NCR till November 14, media reports said on Thursday.
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has also sent notices to the Centre, and to the governments of Delhi, Punjab and Haryana in view of the life-threatening pollution levels in the Delhi-NCR region.
In its advisory on Wednesday, the Union Health ministry has recommended those with breathing difficulty to remain indoors.
Parents have been asked to keep children indoors as much as possible.
Delhiites have been advised to avoid morning walks or any other strenuous outdoor activity that increases breathing rate.
The advisory has suggested all to drink plenty of water and fluids; avoid smoking; minimize the use of deodorants and room sprays as much as possible; and to avoid the areas with smoke or heavy dust.
For those with heart ailments and chronic respiratory disease or asthma, the ministry has recommended them to continue their medication as advised by physician.
"In case of any difficulty in breathing, increase in breathing rate, palpitations or severe bout of coughing and/or sneezing consult for medical assistance," the advisory stated.
On Wednesday, Delhi's Education Minister Manish Sisodia ordered all the schools in Delhi to remain closed till Sunday as a huge blanket of poisonous smog covered the national capital for the second consecutive day.
"The condition of air in Delhi is getting worse. We cannot compromise on children's health in such a condition. I have asked all schools to remain closed till Sunday," Sisodia tweeted in Hindi.
The Government's decision followed a tweet by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday, in which he called the city a "gas chamber" and asked Sisodia to consider shutting the schools for a few days.
Actor Parineeti Chopra tweeted on Wednesday, ".. we cannot be doing this to our planet .. #choked #delhismog" with a picture of her wearing a mask.
Image: ParineetiChopra/Twitter
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