New Delhi, Nov 1 (KNN) Observing the deteriorating air quality of Delhi, the Environment Pollution (Prevention and Control) Authority (EPCA) has instructed pollution generating industries in Delhi NCR region to remain closed from November 1 up to November 10.

In a notification, the central regulator said “the  industrial area of Mundka will remain closed from November 1 to10 so that all debris of plastic, rubber and other waste are removed by the North Delhi Municipal Corporation, based on the EPCA’s inspection and directions.”

The authority further instructed all chief secretaries of the states involved to set up teams to patrol and impose fines on violators for garbage burning, industrial air pollution, dust mismanagement and visibly polluting vehicles.

“All stone crushers and hot mix plants generating dust pollution will stop functioning in Delhi and other NCR districts from November 1-10,” as per the EPCA circular.

The authority has also restricted all the industries using coal and biomass as fuel from operating in Delhi and other NCR districts from November 4 to 10.

While those industries that use natural gas as fuel can continue to operate. The order does not apply to power plants in the NCR (except Badarpur) and waste-to-energy plants.

With the rising particulate matter (PM 2.5 level) in Delhi, the EPCA has also instructed all construction activities involving excavation and civil construction (excluding internal finishing/work where no construction material is used) to be stopped in Delhi and other NCR districts from November 1 up to November 10.

Also, all diesel generator (DG) sets in Delhi have been shut as of October 15, and the Badarpur Power Plant in Delhi has been closed as of October 15, 2018, EPCA noted.

Also, the EPCA is issuing a letter to shut down brick kilns in Haryana, Rajasthan and UP in order to combat air pollution.