Environment Minister Gopal Rai on Friday said it is wrong to think that the Delhi government can control pollution completely, as the air quality worsened dipping to the severe plus category with AQI at 471 at 9am on Friday. Several emergency measures have been put in place, such as a ban on non-essential construction works, BS-3 petrol and BS-4 diesel cars. However, questions arise as to why Delhi goes into this emergency every year in the first week of November. "Delhi's pollution does not come from Delhi. Pollution sources outside Delhi contribute double to Delhi's pollution than sources inside. The Delhi government has been working on a war footing," Gopal Rai said
"In 2015, out of 365 days only 109 days in Delhi experienced good air quality. Last year, the number was 163 and this year the number is over 200. But ye, it is a task to manage the air quality in the first week of November. But the weather condition is also liable for this," the minister said.
All primary schools in Delhi have been shut for two days -- Friday and Saturday -- as the air quality suddenly deteriorated from Thursday evening.
We are not delaying odd-even: Gopal Rai
The minister said the government is not delaying the implementation of odd-even. "The Supreme Court has given the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) the mandate to take the decision. According to their direction, we are moving our steps. If the situation turns very serious, then we will take further decisions after discussing it with everyone," the minister said.