Tough curbs as Capital pollution worsens
The Capital on Thursday began enforcing stricter curbs announced over the last few days to contain pollution. Measures included the newly announced cleaning roads, no PUC no fuel policy, banning entry of BS IV vehicles into the city and implementing work from home.
Speaking on the issue, Union environment minister Bhupender Yadav said that while the number of days with an air quality index below 200 has increased in Delhi, the situation is still not satisfactory, and authorities need to do better. “Different countries have taken different measures. We are fully sensitive to this problem and are working on science-based solutions,” he added.
On Wednesday and Thursday, over 61,000 Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificates were issued in the city, according to Government data.
On Thursday, 568 vehicles turned back at border points for not adhering to pollution standards, while around 3,746 vehicles fined for not possessing valid PUC certificates.
Authorities have stated that these measures are intended to operate during periods of severe air pollution to limit vehicle-related emissions. Teams from the traffic police and transport department were stationed at the city’s entry points, toll plazas and petrol pumps to check PUC certificates and BS-VI compliance.
Smog returns to Beijing
Beijing: Beijing was blanketed in heavy smog on Thursday, with the Air Quality Index rising to a “very unhealthy” 215, a rare pollution spike after years of aggressive clean-up efforts. China’s national observatory issued a yellow alert for dense fog across several regions, including Beijing and Hebei. The episode has renewed comparisons with New Delhi’s pollution crisis, highlighting Beijing’s costly measures such as shutting or relocating thousands of polluting industries and switching to cleaner heating. Despite the smog, officials say Beijing’s air quality has improved significantly in recent years.
