In an effort to curb pollution levels, the New Delhi Municipal Corporation (NDMC) carried out night cleaning and sweeping of roads at several locations in the national capital early Friday morning.
Vice Chairman of the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Kuljeet Singh Chahal was present during the cleaning drive and stated that the initiative aims to achieve a "garbage-free NDMC."
Speaking to ANI during the drive, he said, "We have started night cleaning... We are in Khan Market, one of the most famous markets in the world. People visiting Khan Market will now see clean roads and areas near shops. We draw inspiration from our Prime Minister and Home Minister to transform the city into a healthier, more vibrant, and more beautiful place."
He added that NDMC staff have taken a resolution to begin this initiative from Khan Market and extend it to other parts of Delhi.
He further noted that market associations are supporting the initiative, emphasising that night cleaning will bring significant improvements to the city.
Kuljeet Singh Chahal also criticised the Aam Aadmi Party-led Delhi government, accusing it of failing to take adequate measures to clean Delhi.
Meanwhile, according to data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), Delhi's Air Quality Index (AQI) stood at 379 as of 8 am on Thursday, categorised as 'very poor.'
At 8 am, CPCB data revealed the AQI levels at various locations: Chandni Chowk recorded 338, IGI Airport (T3) 370, ITO 355, Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium 354, RK Puram 387, Okhla Phase 2 370, Patparganj 381, Sonia Vihar 394, and Aya Nagar 359 -- all classified as 'very poor.'
However, several areas in Delhi remained under the 'severe' category, with Anand Vihar recording an AQI of 405, Ashok Vihar 414, Bawana 418, Dwarka Sector-8 401, Mundka 413, and Wazirpur 436.
In response to the alarming pollution levels, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has enforced Stage IV of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) in Delhi-NCR, effective from November 18. Stage IV of GRAP includes measures such as banning the entry of trucks and suspending public construction projects.
(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Featured Video Of The Day
Who Will Win Maharashtra Crown? Axis My India's Exit Poll Prediction
Delhi Tops Polluted City List As Air Quality Crisis Persists In North India Pollution Control Body Orders Filling Critical Gaps In Enforcing Rules Staggered Work Timings For Central Government Employees In Delhi Due To Air Pollution Amazon Employee Greets Friend At Wedding, Dies Of Cardiac Arrest "Speculative, Inaccurate": Canada Factchecks Own Media Over India Charge TIME Magazine Shares Elon Musk's To-Do List, He Responds CAT 2024 To Be Held Under Strict Supervision, Mobile Jammers Installed Ola Electric To Lay Off 500 Employees Amid Losses: Report Not Just Smog, Delhi Also Fighting "Walking Pneumonia" Cases This Season Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.