Smog tower in national capital becomes operational after Supreme Court order as pollution worsens

A smog tower in New Delhi became operational on Wednesday (November 08) after Supreme Court lashed authorities for their lack in efforts to curb pollution.

Smog tower installed in the Connaught Place area of the national capital was installed in August 2021 to tackle air pollution on an experimental basis but was defunct as state pollution board termed it ineffective in dealing with the situation.

However, the Supreme Court on Tuesday (November 07) ordered to make the smog tower operational as air quality continued to decline in the region.

The air quality hovered over 400 mark in many areas of New Delhi which is deemed “severe” by the authorities.

Delhi has stopped local construction, closed primary schools till Friday (November 10) and will impose restrictions on use of vehicles next week to fight pollution, but it wants its neighbouring states to control crop residue burning.

New Delhi ranks among the world’s top polluted cities every year ahead of the onset of winter, when calm winds and low temperatures trap pollutants from sources including vehicles, industries, construction dust, and crop residue burning in nearby fields.