New Delhi implements stricter pollution controls to combat winter smog
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Authorities in New Delhi, India, launched a Winter Action Plan on November 1 to reduce toxic smog levels in the capital.
The government doubled vehicle parking charges and introduced work-from-home arrangements for both government and private-sector offices to lower traffic emissions. Officials also prohibited vehicles that do not meet specific emission standards from entering the city. Additionally, a ban on all outdoor construction and demolition activities that generate dust started immediately.
These measures follow a month of actions by the government, which included stopping the burning of rubbish and restricting food stalls from using coal or firewood. The plan includes 24-hour monitoring and stronger enforcement to address pollution sources such as vehicle exhaust, industrial activity, and crop residue burning in nearby states. The measures aim to tackle severe air quality issues where PM2.5 levels frequently exceed World Health Organization safety limits.
While recent rain helped lower some readings, the city continues to face high pollution levels that have historically caused millions of deaths in India.
