Delhi battles smog: Schools to remain shut till Wednesday

Citizens protest govt inaction at Jantar Mantar. Pics/PTI

New Delhi: As unprecedented level of pollution choked Delhi, chief minister Arvind Kejriwal yesterday said schools will remain closed till Wednesday and announced a raft of "emergency" steps, including a five-day ban on construction and demolition activities and 10-day closure of coal-based Badarpur power plant, besides exploring possibility of engineering artificial rain over the city and bringing back the odd-even scheme.

Emerging from an urgent cabinet meet, Kejriwal also appealed to the people to stay indoors and, if possible, work from home.

Listing short-term steps, the CM said use of all diesel gen-sets has been prohibited for the next five days, except for emergency services like hospitals.

"The health department will issue the first pollution advisory tomorrow (Monday). We also appeal to the people to stay indoors and work from home, if possible. "We are also starting the preparation for odd-even (car rationing scheme). We will make an assessment in the next few days and implement it, if need be," said Kejriwal.

The chief minister said the government was also going to discuss with the Centre the possibility of engineering artificial rain over the city that has turned into a "gas chamber", mainly due to large-scale crop burning in Haryana and Punjab.

Scientist suggests alternate to straw burning
Noted agri-scientist MS Swaminathan yesterday suggested to Prime Minister Narendra Modi ways to commercialise the straw to help tide over the problem. Swaminathan said paddy straw can be used for making animal feed, cardboard, paper and other products. He will soon send a detailed note to the PM in this regard.

PWD sprinkles water on roads
Delhi government's PWD yesterday started the work of sprinkling water on roads. "Dust clearing and water sprinkling on PWD roads started (sic)," PWD minister Satyendar Jain tweeted. Jain also directed that non-destined vehicles - not meant for Delhi - should not be allowed to enter the city as per Supreme Court orders.

Tweet talk

Akshar ‏@AksharPathak
My flight's been delayed by an hour. Probably because of the smog. Maybe the pilot can't find the landing strip. Or the airport. Or Delhi.

mukul ‏@MukulAgarwal66
Kejri's soln to smog: stop construction for 5 days.... Dear delhi, well done, kya namuna chuna hai

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