From Nov 1 our graded action response plan will be implemented. Let us hope Delhi air pollution situation doesn't d… https://t.co/lAchFNIsoo — ANI (@ANI) 1540887465000

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As part of graded action plan against rising air pollution in Delhi, Environment Pollution Control Authority (EPCA) on Tuesday said private cars will be stopped from plying in the capital if air pollution continues to worsen."Let us hope the air pollution situation in Delhi doesn't deteriorate or else we will have to stop plying of private vehicles. Only public transport will be used," Bhure Lal, Chairman, Environment Pollution Control Authority, was quoted as saying by news agency ANI.EPCA, appointed by India's Supreme Court, has already proposed halting construction, the use of diesel-run power generators, brick kilns and the burning of garbage between Nov. 1 and Nov. 10 when pollution levels are expected to rise.Air quality inand the National Capital Region (NCR) on Tuesday deteriorated further after an overnight spike in Particulate Matter (PM). The overall Air Quality Index (AQI) at 3 pm was 401, falling in the 'severe' category, the highest this season.An AQI between 0 and 50 is considered 'good', 51 and 100 'satisfactory', 101 and 200 'moderate', 201 and 300 'poor', 301 and 400 'very poor', and 401 and 500 'severe'.The Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM) said that the prevailing meteorological conditions are less favourable for dispersal of pollutants for the next two days due to moderate ventilation index and low wind speed.Seventeen areas of the national capital recorded severe air quality, the data said.The city's Air Quality Index (AQI) was 398 points against 367 points on Monday and 366 on Sunday and in the "severe" category.The AQI for Ghaziabad was worst in the entire NCR region at 444 points, up by 14 points from Monday and remains in the "severe" category. In Gurugram, the AQI was 422, while it was 410 in Noida.According to the CentralControl Board, for severe air quality, PM2.5 must be between 250-300 or PM10 between 430-500.The Centre-run System of Air Quality Forecasting And Research (SAFAR) attributed "heavy stubble burning in the last 24 hours and calm winds as the reason behind the further deterioration of air capital.The SAFAR said about 28 per cent ofby PM2.5 (presence of particles in the air with a diameter of less than 2.5 micrometres) on Tuesday was caused due to regional factors like stubble burning.Meanwhile, according to a WHO report, over one lakh children under five years of age died in India in 2016 due to exposure to toxic air. The report noted that about 98 per cent of children in the same age group in low and middle-income countries were exposed to air(Inputs from Reuters, ANI, PTI)