A dip in wind speed and temperature is making air denser, trapping pollutants and worsening air quality, said Vivek Chattopadhyay, a senior programme manager at New Delhi-based non-profit Centre for Science and Environment. The scheme, which includes a two-day waiver for a religious festival, has helped little, prompting environmentalists to call for urgent action. "The chief minister (of Delhi) needs to declare an emergency," said Bharati Chaturvedi, founder of the Chintan environmental advocacy group. The smoke from fields mixes with vehicle exhaust and construction dust, making Delhi the world's most-polluted capital. India's Supreme Court last week chided authorities for their failure to curb the pollution and asked the city government, its neighbouring states and the federal government to work together to help improve air quality.

Source: bd News24 November 11, 2019 07:53 UTC