Arvind Kejriwal calls emergency meeting over pollution crisis, measures like Odd-Even to be revisited
New Delhi/UNI: After the Supreme Court termed the acute air pollution in Delhi NCR as an "emergency," Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has called an emergency meeting with cabinet ministers and top bureaucrats on Saturday to tackle the severe air pollution in the city, officials said.
The meeting, to be held at 5 pm, will be attended by Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, Health Minister Satyendar Jain, Environment Minister Gopal Rai, Transport Minister Kailash Gahlot and Delhi Chief Secretary Rajiv Gauba, they added.
Sources told UNI that key decisions related to public transport and health facilities are expected.
"Decisions like increasing frequency of the mode of public transport like Metro and Bus services can be taken. The Odd-Even policy will also be revisited in the meeting," a top official said.
A day ago, Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) had asked the states and implementing agencies of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) in Delhi NCR for “complete readiness” to implement measures under the emergency category.
The central pollution watchdog has directed the government and private offices to reduce vehicle usage by at least 30 per cent while it advised people to avoid going outdoors.
Earlier today, the Supreme Court termed the rise in air pollution in Delhi-NCR as an emergency situation and stressed upon the need to take crucial measures.
The apex court asked the authorities in Delhi to take immediate measures like putting vehicles off-road and clamping lockdown in Delhi. It also directed the Centre and the Delhi government to take immediate steps to curb pollution and report back on Monday.
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