Delhi air quality: Metro to make 40 additional trips daily

Delhi Metro will run 40 additional train services daily in the wake of the Aam Admi Party (AAP) government’s decision to enforce GRAP II in Delhi amid the worsening air quality in the national capital.
As the air quality in the city plummeted, Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai on Tuesday announced several anti-pollution measures, including extra metro trips, deployment of more than 6,000 MCD staff for road dust control and 1,800 more traffic personnel at congestion points. Rai also plans to reach out to his counterparts in neighbouring states, such as Uttar Pradesh and Haryana, requesting them not to send diesel buses into Delhi.
“With the change in weather in Delhi, we are also witnessing an increase in pollution levels. This trend is not limited to Delhi; it is being observed across North India as well,” the minister said.
 
“The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has established four levels to control pollution. Currently, the Air Quality Index (AQI) is above 300, which has led to the implementation of GRAP Stage II,” Rai further added.
The Central Pollution Control Board on Monday invoked the second stage of GRAP in the national capital amid deteriorating air quality levels, imposing restrictions on the use of coal, firewood and diesel generator sets.