Representational image | Photo Credit: AP

New Delhi: The Delhi government on Wednesday relented before the National Green Tribunal (NGT) and stated that no exemptions would be given whenever the Odd-Even school is implemented next.

Air pollution can permanently damage child's brain; UNICEF outlines urgent steps to reduce health risks

Submitting an action plan before the NGT to combat pollution in the national capital, the Delhi government said rules would apply equally to all during the Odd-Even scheme implementation.

Last month, the Aam Aadmi Party government had called off the Odd-Even car rationing scheme after the green court refused to allow its implementation with exemptions.

The NGT had stated that no exemptions should be given to "any person or officer and two-wheelers".

While announcing the Odd-Even scheme originally planned to be implemented for five days from November 13, the government had granted exemptions to women drivers, two-wheeler users and vehicles carrying children in school uniforms, besides VVIPs and emergency vehicles.

In the action plan submitted today, the Delhi government told NGT that it will impose a total ban on construction activities in Delhi once pollution level touches 'severe' category.

Delhi air 'very poor' again 'possibly' due to stubble burning; halts IND vs SL play

Also, trucks' entry into Delhi would also be banned while pollution-causing industries would be shut and burning of waste stopped.

Air pollution levels are at alarming levels in the national capital once again with Air Quality Index nearing 'severe' category. It is currently under 'very poor' category.

Meanwhile, the NGT today directed the governments in Delhi, Haryana and Punjab to file detailed action plans by tomorrow on tackling air pollution.

Pollution levels in Delhi usually remain in the 'very poor' category during December.

November witnesses extremely high levels of pollution as smoke from paddy residue burning reaches the city, aggravating the situation.

However, there are phases, when such spikes are seen even during December and January, mostly due to rapid drop in temperature and high moisture content, factors that trap particulates near the surface.

According to an IIT-Kanpur study, the sources of PM2.5 and PM10 during the winter months are: secondary particles like nitrates (25-30 per cent), vehicles (20-25 per cent), biomass burning (17 26 per cent), municipal solid waste burning (9-8 per cent) and to a lesser extent soil and road dust.