The National Green Tribunal on Wednesday lashed out at the Delhi government and the Central Pollution Control Board for not issuing orders to shut down construction and industrial activities in the capital despite the worsening air quality.'<br/><br/>It also ordered Punjab, UP and Haryana governments to spell out the steps have they taken to prevent crop burning in the states adjacent to the national capital.<br/><br/>The green panel directed the Delhi Pollution Control Committee to collect ambient air quality samples from different parts of the city and submit an analysis containing details of different pollutants, including particulate matter (PM) 2.5 and 10.<br/><br/>Making scathing remarks, it asked the Delhi authorities to explain why steps were not taken to stop construction and industrial activities causing emission in the entire national capital.<br/>'<br/>As the national capital reeled under heavy smog, the NGT had yesterday asked the governments of Delhi, Uttar Pradesh and Haryana to explain why preventive steps were not taken to control the 'severe' air quality in the region.<br/>The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has recorded 'severe' air quality, meaning that the intensity of pollution was extreme.<br/><br/>The tribunal was hearing a plea for immediate action against the worsening air quality in Delhi-NCR stating that it was an 'environmental emergency' that was affecting children and senior citizens the most.<br/><br/>The plea said that according to a CPCB report, post Diwali, the ambient air quality of Delhi on October 17, 18 and 19 was found to be "very poor", adding that despite elaborate orders from NGT last year, the authorities have slept over it.