Tourists in masks as a blanket of smog shrouds Shejanabad and the Jama Masjid area in Old Delhi on Thursday. Express Photo by Neeraj Priyadarshi Tourists in masks as a blanket of smog shrouds Shejanabad and the Jama Masjid area in Old Delhi on Thursday. Express Photo by Neeraj Priyadarshi

As residents of Delhi-National Capital Region continue to battle dense smog, the air quality still remains in the ‘severe’ category in several parts of the city. Looking at the prevailing air quality, the administration has ordered schools in Noida, Ghaziabad and Delhi to close up to secondary classes until Saturday. The smog has affected train movement with 41 trains reportedly arriving late and 10 cancelled so far.

Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia has said the government is planning to re-launch its odd-even transport scheme. The government also issued a health advisory for residents of the capital, especially children, the elderly and those suffering from asthma and heart ailments. With the burning of paddy stubble in neighbouring states contributing to smog in the city, Chief Minister and AAP convenor Arvind Kejriwal has sought an urgent meeting with Punjab counterpart Captain Amarinder Singh.

Delhi air pollution Live Updates:

08.00 pm: All government and private schools in Gurugram will remain closed on November 10 and 11 due to smog situation.

07.30 pm: List of those people who would be exempted from odd-even scheme that will come into force for five days are –the President of India, Vice President, Prime Minister, Union Ministers, Chief ministers of states/Union territories except chief minister of Delhi, Chief Justice of India and other Judges of the Supreme Court amongst others like emergency and enforcement vehicles. Here’s the full list of exemptions

06.30pm: Union Environment Minister Harsh Vardhan said air quality levels in the national capital will come back to normal within the “next few days” and that pollution levels had dropped considerably over the last 24 hours, reports IANS.

06.15 pm: Automobiles, industries and construction work continues round the year so why is it that such a situation has occurred now? The reason behind this should be researched for thoroughly to find a solution: Union Minister Nitin Gadkari

05.30 pm: This problem is not only of Delhi, it is of whole India, We would like to request PM Modi to convene an emergency meeting of the Chief Minister of all states: Kailash Gehlot

05.20pm: We are calling a meeting of cabs and taxis tomorrow and we will ensure that there will be no surge pricing this time: Kailash Gehlot

5:13 pm Environment ministry forms seven-member committee to monitor short-term and long-term solutions to air pollution.

5:02 pm Odd-even to be implemented from 8 am to 8 pm from November 13-17. Two-wheelers and women drivers to be exempt under odd-even scheme: Gahlot

5:00 pm Delhi Transport Minister Kailash Gahlot has said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi should convene emergency meeting of CMs of Delhi, adjoining states to discuss pollution.

04.45 pm: Have requested PM Modi to convene meeting of CMs of affected States along with Union Ministers. Just my meeting with Delhi CM will resolve nothing: Punjab CM Amarinder Singh on Delhi pollution

04.30 pm: Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal is a peculiar person who has views on everything without understanding the situation. There is 20 million ton of paddy straw, where do I ask farmers to store? CM Kejriwal doesn’t understand this problem: Punjab CM Amarinder Singh on Delhi pollution

04.15 pm: IGL stickers for cars will be available from tomorrow at 22 CNG stations across Delhi. Also extra buses are being arranged: Kailash Gehlot

04.30 pm: Odd-Even will be implemented from November 13-17. Request people and all agencies to cooperate. Exemptions will be same like last time: Delhi Transport Minister Kailash Gehlot

04.15 pm: Criticising the Delhi government and civic bodies over the situation in Delhi, the National Green Tribunal(NGT) has banned construction and industrial activities and entry of trucks to deal with the worsening air

quality in Delhi and neighbouring states.

04.10 pm: We want to appeal to the people of Congress-BJP to leave political issues behind, and co-operate with us. We would like to request them talk to the Chief Minister of Punjab, UP and Haryana and take this initiative together. We also appeal to all experts that if anyone has any solution to this problem, then tell us, the Delhi government will consider every solution: Gopal Rai

04.00 pm: It is a matter of great sadness that the chief ministersof Haryana and Punjab is not ready to talk to Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal. The Central Government and the Union Environment Minister is also silent on this: AAP minister Gopal Rai

03.45 pm: The situation is projected in such a way that the people of Delhi did something that poisoned the atmosphere of Delhi. It is not only in Delhi, but neighbouring states Haryana, Punjab and Uttar Pradesh are also affected: AAP minister Gopal Rai

03.30pm: To control pollution the Delhi Fire Services department is sprinkling water on trees near Delhi Secretariat



03.15 pm: The National Human Rights Commission(NHRC) has sent notices to the Centre and the governments of Delhi, Punjab and Haryana in view of “life-threatening” pollution levels in the national capital and nearby regions. The rights panel criticised authorities for not taking proper steps to tackle the “hazard”, amounting to violation of right to life and health. It also sought reports within two weeks from different Union ministries and the three governments on “effective steps” being taken and proposed to tackle the situation. “The state cannot leave its citizens to die due to the toxic haze,” it said in a statement.

3.05 pm: There has been a steady drop in the number of passengers on the route to Delhi, thereby forcing the Uttar Pradesh State Roadways Transport Corporation to consider downsizing the number of buses plying between the two points, reports IANS.

02.55 pm: Some buses to Noida, Ghaziabad and Agra have also been cancelled, a call will be taken on restarting these buses on this route only after air quality improves in New Delhi, reports IANS.

02.50 pm: With thick smog descending over New Delhi and NCR, the Uttar Pradesh government has cancelled four dozen buses plying from the state to the union capital, an official said, reports IANS.

02.34 pm: How the haze can harm Delhi

How harmful is smog? How harmful is smog?

02:04 pm: In a bid to check the rising air pollution, Delhi government announces that ‘odd-even’ policy will be implemented from November 13 and will continue till November 17, according to sources.

01: 40 pm: The NGT has ordered diesel vehicles older than 10 years and petrol vehicles older than 15 years to be prohibited from entering Delhi. The tribunal also said to “ban trucks carrying construction materials in Delhi-NCR.”

01:35 pm: As per the observations by the Delhi High Court, the odd-even transport scheme had unclogged the city. Thus, the HC has recommended the government to consider implementing “odd even vehicle movement scheme” as a short term measure.

01: 32 pm: After NGT’s recommendation to use helicopter to trigger rainfall, Delhi HC now directs to consider the possibility of cloud seeding as a step to check the rising level of air pollution.

01:30 pm: Delhi High Court directs an emergency meeting to be held within three days to discuss the degrading air quality in the region. The meeting will be attended by Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change secretary along with Chief Secretaries of NCR states and pollution control agencies.

01: 25 pm: Environment Minister, Dr. Harsh Vardhan commenting on the prevailing situation in Delhi-NCR region said that he is constantly monitoring the situation. He said that he has asked the authorities to implement graded action plan. He also advised the residents not to panic and try to remain indoors.

Already in touch with states in NCR region, asked them to implement graded action plan. Constantly monitoring situation. There should be no reason to panic, take precautions try to stay indoors & don’t expose children to polluted air: Environment Minister Dr. Harsh Vardhan #smog pic.twitter.com/N24KdF5P0J — ANI (@ANI) November 9, 2017

01:00 pm: Mahesh Sharma, MoS Environment, Forest and Climate Change commenting on the alarming situation ongoing in Delhi-NCR said, “This matter shouldn’t be politicized, it is the time for everyone to come together and fight this problem.”

MoS Environment, Forest and Climate Change Mahesh Sharma (Source: ANI) MoS Environment, Forest and Climate Change Mahesh Sharma (Source: ANI)

12:55 pm: Arvind Kejriwal urged the central government along with the concerned state governments to put aside the politics and jointly look out for a solution to burning of the paddy stubble.

12:52 pm: Arvind Kejriwal insisted the state government to look out for economically viable solutions to crop burning in order to stop it permanently.

12: 50 pm: Delhi CM cited burning of stubble in neighbouring states as the main cause behind the ongoing situation. He also said people and government are prepared to take steps to check the rising pollution but these measures won’t be enough until a solution to burning of crops is found.

12: 46 pm: Arvind Kejriwal says that at this time of the year the entire north India transforms into a gas chamber, its not just Delhi.

12:45 pm: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal addressing the media on the ongoing situation said odd-even will be implemented within two days if required.

12: 15 pm: NGT directs that no industrial activities will be carried until the next hearing. The tribunal also ordered all the public authorities to depute an officer who will monitor the polluting activities.

12: 10 pm: NGT asks the Delhi government about the steps taken to curb pollution and the number of construction sites where the work has been stopped. The tribunal also raised why helicopters are not being used for triggering rain.

12: 00 pm: Highlighting the amount of toxicity present in the air in Delhi-NCR region, NGT said that on Wednesday the PM 10 levels which is suppose to be 100 had touched 986 and the PM 2.5 levels which is suppose to be 60 had reach 420.

11:50 am: NGT stated that Articles 21 and 48 of the Constitution mandates the government to provide a clean and conducive environment for its citizens. However, looking at the government’s approach towards the situation, the tribunal said, “All the constitutional authorities and statutory bodies measurably failed to perform their duties. So far pollution is the concern, it is a joint responsibility of all the stakeholders.”

11:45 am: Lashing out at the authorities for allowing construction work, NGT said, “Even construction work taking place openly isn’t being stopped, and when such a situation has ensued now action is being promised.” The tribunal also slammed the adjoining states of Delhi for their negligence and their lack of seriousness on the ongoing situation.

11:40 am: Slamming the authorities on their approach towards the rising air pollution, NGT said, “It is shameful for all the parties in this matter on what they’re passing on to the next generation.”

11:30 am: According to a report in news agency ANI, National Green Tribunal (NGT) has asked the Delhi government, municipal corporations and the neighbouring states to check the condition of people in hospitals.

11:15 am: Khattar added,”have taken precautions and steps possible in Haryana. If we are asked by Centre, or Punjab to sit and talk together, we will do that.”

This is a matter of concern, we have taken all possible steps in Haryana. We have also requested people burning stubble to not do so: Haryana CM ML Khattar pic.twitter.com/LxrsUlhGll — ANI (@ANI) November 9, 2017

11: 10 am: Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar commenting on the burning of paddy stubble in his state said, “This is a matter of concern, we have taken all possible steps in Haryana. We have also requested people burning stubble to not do so.”

10:45 am: Air pollution affecting lungs, kidneys, eyes, health..a burning issue in true sense : Why are we not interested in listening to experts like Dr. Agarwal, Dr Guleria.Why are we unwilling to even pay heed to a man of substance, popular mass leader and CM of Delhi Arvind Kejriwal? asks Shatrughan Sinha.

10:30 am: Humble appeal to our one-man show & two man army…what are we doing about the deadly pollution crisis? Why have we not spelt out our short term & long term measures? Why not top priority to tackle this poisonous killer? says BJP MP Shatrughan Sinha.

Humble appeal to our one man show & two man army…what are we doing about the deadly pollution crisis? Why have we not spelt out our short term & long term measures? Why not top priority to tackle this poisonous killer? 1>2 — Shatrughan Sinha (@ShatruganSinha) November 9, 2017

9:40: With no signs of respite in the dipping air-quality index, thick layers of smog was also witnessed in various cities in Punjab. These are early morning visuals from Ludhiana.

9:30 am: Even after a severe dip in the air-quality, burning of paddy stubble in Haryana continues. The visuals below are from Haryana’s Rohtak area.

Stubble burning in #Haryana continues even as pollution levels rise in the region and neighboring states: Visuals from #Rohtak pic.twitter.com/nQDwv6Cpo1 — ANI (@ANI) November 9, 2017

9:11 am: Stubble burning in Haryana continues even as pollution levels rise in the region and neighbouring states.

9:00 am: 41 trains arrived late in Delhi area due to fog/smog conditions, nine rescheduled and 10 cancelled.

8:45 am: Delhi’s Punjabi Bagh at 799, Dwarka 388, Shadipur 362, Anand Vihar 515 in Air Quality Index; all fall in the ‘Hazardous’ category.

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