Ban on private vehicles likely from Nov 1 if air quality worsens in Delhi

Environment Pollution Control Authority (EPCA) chairman Bhure Lal on Tuesday said that private vehicles may not be allowed to ply on roads if air pollution continues to worsen in the national capital.

Speaking to ANI, Lal said, "We had a meeting with Delhi Lieutenant Governor (LG) Anil Baijal on Monday. He has directed all officials to take strict action if required. We might have to stop the functioning of private cars if air pollution increases in the city. I hope it does not, but if need be we will have to do this."

He further said that the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) will be implemented from November 1. The action plan suggests measures to be taken based on the air quality index in Delhi and National Capital Region (NCR).

In a meeting held on October 22, EPCA had earlier instructed the industrialists to stop burning rubber and plastic in Narela and Bawana industrial belt as it has escalated the level of toxic content in the air.

Environment Pollution Control Authority is a committee constituted by the central government to check pollution in Delhi and NCR.