New Delhi, November 8: On directions of the Central Pollution Control Board, the Delhi Traffic Police has issued a ban on heavy and medium vehicles from entering the city from 11pm tonight. The ban will remain into force till November 11, said the statement issued by Joint Commissioner of Police, Traffic.

The move is aimed at combating the air pollution, which has turned residents of the national capital vulnerable to hazardous respiratory diseases. The air quality index has oscillated from 'poor' to 'severe plus emergency level' since the onset of November. Delhi Air Quality Deteriorates A Day After Diwali, Air Pollution at 'Hazardous' Level.

Post Diwali celebrations, the AQI in Delhi-NCR had peaked to as high as 990 in some regions. The overall air quality was classified as hazardous, with directives issued by the government for parents to use air-masks for their children.

Restriction on heavy vehicular traffic has been imposed in Delhi region in past years as well. In the winters of 2016 and 2017, a ban was issued on the entry of trucks, tempos and lorries in NCR from 11pm n the night to 7am in the morning. The rational was to prevent the accumulation of PM2.5 particulates during the night, when the temperature dips and air movement halts.

While a three-day ban on heavy and medium vehicles has been announced by the Traffic Police, the state government is mulling over re-introducing its odd-even car policy -- which bars vehicles with odd and even number plates from plying on alternate days.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Nov 08, 2018 06:43 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).