Entry of trucks into Delhi may be banned if pollution continues to be severe on Friday: CPCB

Entry of trucks in the national capital may be banned if the pollution level does not reduce by Friday morning, the Central Pollution Control Board-led task force recommended on Thursday.

Noting that "combustion sources require priority attention", the CPCB-led taskforce called for intensification of measures already in force.

"The task force opines that measures already in force must continue with intensified action by implementing agencies particularly with regard to traffic congestion, open burning of waste, industrial emissions," the taskforce said.

"In case the situation does not improve by tomorrow morning (Friday), entry of truck traffic into Delhi (except essential commodities) may be stopped," it said.

The taskforce also urged people to minimise use of personal vehicles and avoid prolonged exposure to the outdoor air.

"The severe condition has continued for 31 hrs consecutively exceeding 300 g/m3 for PM2.5. It is observed that while PM10 levels are marginally exceeding 500 g/m3, PM2.5 levels are much higher reaching up to 350 g/m3," the taskforce said.

Delhi's air quality remained severe for the second day on Thursday due to adverse meteorological conditions as authorities warned that the condition would continue to deteriorate unless sufficient rainfall brings respite by cleansing the air.