Delhi air quality row: NDMC doubles parking fees in bid to promote public transport usage

“In the end, the same thing happened which was expected. Arvind Kejriwal, Aam Aadmi Party, Congress, Trinamool Congress, and INDI alliance which have only agenda to target Hindus,” news agency PTI quoted BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla as saying in a video posted on his account on social media platform X. "How come the level of pollution increased after a festival was celebrated by Hindus only for one day? How there was pollution before 15 days," he reportedly added.

Due to increasing pollution, the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) has decided that the parking fees (off road/on road) have been enhanced to twice of the existing to discourse private transport for the parking managed by NDMC through its own staff till 31st January 2024, an official notice stated.

NDMC took the decision based on the guidelines of Commission for Air Quality Management.

“These are social issues. The contempt action seems to be very difficult. How many people and whom they (Supreme Court) will catch. Basically this is the issue of social awareness. People should be made more aware, I don't find much of a role for courts and lawyers,” news agency PTI quoted senior advocate Rakesh Dwivedi as saying on whether contempt action could be initiated over the alleged flouting of Supreme Court's order on firecrackers.

“I do not understand how people can lie with so much of impunity that the AQI of Delhi is better after bursting of crackers yesterday. It is 390 as of now and very poor. Pollution does not discriminate between the lungs of Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs, Jains, Paris, Christians,” former Union Minister and Congress leader Manish Tewari said.

"For Pollution everyone’s lungs is fair game. It is healthy air for all that is important. Obtuse binaries can’t wish away the obvious- THAT WE ARE CHOKING (sic)," he posted on social media platform X.

Delhi air quality LIVE updates: In a press conference, after the pollution review meeting, Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai said, "Anti-pollution measures under GRAP IV regulations will remain enforced in Delhi until the next order of CAQM (Commission for Air Quality Management). Under this, the ban on BS-III petrol vehicles and BS-IV diesel vehicles will remain. All trucks, except those carrying essential goods and connected to essential services and CNG & electric trucks, will not be allowed to enter Delhi."

Delhi air quality LIVE updates: In a press conference, after the pollution review meeting, Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai said, "Yesterday, the AQI in parts of Delhi was recorded between 215 and 220. And today, it reached 315-320 after firecrackers were burst in a targeted manner in several areas of Delhi, UP, and Haryana," reported PTI.

Delhi air quality LIVE updates: Principal Programme Manager of the Air Pollution Control Cell at Centre for Science and Environment, Vivek Chattopadhyaya on November 12 said that the air pollution levels have spiked following bursting of crackers. “The air has become still and its speed is slowing down causing an accumulation of pollution. Right now, we need strictness with our control measures so that the action plan can be implemented across the city,” reported ANI.

Delhi air quality LIVE updates: Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai said, "The review meeting will include discussions on the overall air quality situation in Delhi-NCR. We will conduct discussions on the status of the different enforcement works that have been implemented to tackle the pollution," reported ANI.

Delhi air quality LIVE updates: Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai said," The bursting of firecrackers has increased pollution levels in Delhi. Not many people have burst firecrackers but, it was done in some places in a targeted manner. The way BJP leaders were inciting people, its result can be seen today."

Delhi air quality LIVE updates: Congress MP Manish Tewari said, "It is obvious that the ban has been flouted with impunity..... It is ironic that a country that could close down at a four-hour notice for lockdown cannot control or implement a Supreme Court order... Obviously, there was a lack of will and no enforcement."

Delhi air quality LIVE updates: BJP MP Manoj Tiwari said, “Very few firecrackers and green crackers were burst... But Congress and other parties have a problem with people celebrating Diwali. Their pain is that the people of Sanatan (Dharma) should not celebrate their festival.”

Delhi air quality LIVE updates: Trinamool Congress MP Saket Gokhale in a letter to Delhi police on November 13 inquired information about cases filed against the bursting of firecrackers on Diwali night.

Delhi air quality LIVE updates: The AAP government's comprehensive ban on firecrackers was violated extensively as visuals from various parts of Delhi, including Lodhi Road, RK Puram, Karol Bagh, and Punjabi Bagh showed bursting of firecrackers on Diwali evening.  

Delhi air quality LIVE updates: Congress MP Manish Tewari in a social media post on X said, "Last night in Lutyens Delhi firecrackers were bursting till 2 AM in the morning with sparklers, bombs, rockets and every other firecracker used on Deepawali on full & ferocious display. Did the Supreme Court ban Firecrackers?"

Delhi air quality LIVE updates: Environment Minister Gopal Rai said, "A meeting has been called at 12 pm today on Monday, wherein we will discuss all the situations related to the air quality and pollution," reported ANI. 

Delhi air quality LIVE updates: Environment Minister Gopal Rai, earlier on November 12 said, "I urge people in Delhi and nearby areas to celebrate Diwali by lighting diyas. They should refrain from bursting crackers as it would further inconvenience people, who are already struggling to breathe clean air. This festival is about spreading happiness and adding to the worries," reported ANI.

Delhi air quality LIVE updates: BJP leader Pratyush Kanth in a post on X stated, "This report of ANI exposes those fake news peddlers who are trying to make Diwali responsible for Delhi pollution when the truth is that there is no notable change is observed in Delhi pollution level after Diwali!"

Delhi air quality LIVE updates: According to CPCB data, worst air quality in ‘very poor’ category in Delhi was recorded at Pusa where AQI stood at at 386 at 10:30 am. Other stations where ‘very poor’ air quality was recorded include CRRI Mathura Road, Jahangirpuri, Anand Vihar, R K Puram, Noida Sector-1, Punjabi Bagh, Shadipur, North Campus, Wazirpur, Sonia Vihar and Lodhi Road.

Delhi air quality LIVE updates: The Air Quality Index (AQI) in various parts of Delhi, according to Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data recorded at 8 am, registered very poor air quality in Shadipur and Anand Vihar with AQI at 321 and 312 respectively. Wazirpur, ITO, Burari crossing and Anand Vihar recorded ‘poor’ air quaity, with AQI at 281, 263, 279 and 296 respectively.

Delhi air quality LIVE updates: Delhi Fire Services Director, Atul Garg said, "No casualty was reported in any fire incident on this Diwali. A total of 208 fire-related calls including 22 firecrackers-related calls were received yesterday. Only one major incident of fire was reported from Deputyganj in Sadar Bazaar where 24 fire tenders were rushed."

Delhi air quality LIVE updates: Delhi Fire Service (DFS) chief Atul Garg said around 100 calls for fire-related incidents were received by the Fire Service department on Diwali. These calls were received in the evening of November 12 between 6 pm and 10:45 pm.

Delhi air quality LIVE updates: According to Central Pollution Control Board data, AQI at Anand Vihar area stood at ‘300’ at 3:30 am which lies in ‘very poor’ category.

Delhi air quality LIVE updates: The air quality in Delhi remains in the 'Poor' category, according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). The Air Quality Index (AQI) stood at 296 in Anand Vihar, 290 in RK Puram, 280 in Punjabi Bagh and 263 in ITO.

Delhi air quality LIVE updates: TMC leader Saket Gokhale in post on X last night stated, “Thanks Delhi (especially the BJP MPs & Ministers who live down the street) for the last 6 hours of non-stop fireworks. Don’t understand the point of a “ban” when ruling party leaders themselves are violating it in the heart of the capital. AQI has hit 999 - machines can’t calculate beyond that.”

Delhi air quality LIVE updates: The visuals show the massive scale at which bursting of crackers took place in Delhi on the day of Diwali despite cracker ban and several campaigns to create awareness. 

Delhi air quality LIVE updates: Visuals from various parts of the city showed reduced visibility and a thick toxic haze blanketing the roads and streets on Diwali night and on the next day. The pollution level has increased from ‘201’ yesterday to ‘266’ at 6 am today, registering in ‘poor’ category.