No construction work till Wednesday

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court-appointed pollution watchdog EPCA on Monday ordered a ban of all industrial activities in pollution hotspots and construction work across Delhi-NCR till Wednesday in view the national capital's 'severe' air quality.

Delhi is facing its highest pollution level since Diwali. The city's air quality remained in the 'severe' category for the third consecutive day on Monday as the wind speed and other meteorological factors remained "highly unfavourable" for dispersion of pollutants.

The authorities have advised people to minimise outdoor activities and avoid the use of private vehicles.

Industries located in hotspot industrial areas of Wazirpur, Mundka, Narela, Bawana, Sahibabad and Faridabad will remain closed until Wednesday, EPCA Chairperson Bhure Lal said in a letter to Delhi Chief Secretary Vijay Kumar Dev.

The EPCA has also banned all construction activities in Delhi, Faridabad, Gurugram, Ghaziabad and Noida till Wednesday. The Delhi Pollution Control Committee said THAT the ban comes into force from Monday itself and it is sending letters to industries and construction authorities to immediately halt the activities.

The EPCA has directed the traffic police to deploy special teams and ensure congestion-free traffic flow, particularly in identified high traffic corridors.