The Environment Minister of Delhi Gopal Rai on November 24 said that no petrol and diesel vehicles will be allowed in the city starting from November 27 till December 3 in a move to curb air pollution. However a day later Transport Minister Kailash Gahlot clarified that there will be no ban on the entry of any private owned vehicles in Delhi. However, restrictions apply to entry of trucks carrying non essential goods.

“From November 27, only CNG-run and electric vehicles will be allowed entry into the national capital. All the other vehicles will remain banned till December 3”, Gopal Rai said in a press briefing after a high-level meeting to decide on measures needed to keep Delhi’s air clean.

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The air quality in Delhi was recorded in the “severe” category on Saturday due to a low wind speed that prevents effective dispersion of pollutants. The 24-hour Air Quality Index (AQI) in the national capital was recorded at 402 at 4 pm.

According to the Ministry of Earth Sciences’ air quality monitoring agency SAFAR, the situation is likely to be the same on Sunday.

Also read: On Delhi pollution, centre supports carpooling, objects working from home

“Local surface winds are likely to increase moderately on November 29 and November 30 that increases dispersion of pollutants, leading to a slight improvement, but the AQI will remain in the ‘very poor’ category. Low mixing layer height and low winds are preventing efficient dispersion of pollutants. The percentage share of stubble burning-related pollutants in Delhi’s PM2.5 is six,” it said.

Also read: Delhi air pollution: Schools, colleges to remain shut till further notice

On Saturday, the minimum temperature in the national capital settled at 10.2 degrees Celsius, normal for this time of the year. The maximum temperature was recorded at 27 degrees Celsius, a notch above the season’s average. The humidity levels oscillated between 97 per cent and 50 per cent, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD).

The weatherman had forecast mainly clear skies on Sunday with shallow fog in the morning. The maximum and minimum temperatures are likely to settle around 27 degrees Celsius and 10 degrees Celsius.