Just before Diwali, on Friday, Stage-III restrictions under the ‘Graded Response Action Plan’ (GRAP) were implemented in Delhi-NCR. Air pollution levels are continuously worsening, with Delhi’s Air Quality Index (AQI) nearing the ‘severe’ category. Over the last 24 hours, Delhi’s AQI was recorded at 382. In other NCR cities, the AQI was recorded at 303 in Noida, 316 in Greater Noida, 368 in Gurugram, and 257 in Ghaziabad.
According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), an AQI between 301 and 400 falls into the ‘very poor’ category, while a reading between 401 and 500 is classified as ‘severe’. Stage-II of GRAP was already in effect across the NCR region; with the implementation of Stage-III, additional restrictions have now been added to the existing ones. These include stringent measures to control pollution, strict enforcement of regulations, and directives to relevant agencies to prevent any further deterioration in air quality.
What restrictions will be imposed under GRAP-III?
- Under Stage-III of GRAP, several restrictions have been imposed on construction work, vehicular movement, and industrial activities to reduce pollution levels:
- A strict ban on non-essential construction and demolition activities.
- A ban on the movement of older BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel vehicles.
- Closure of stone crushers and a halt to mining activities.
- Increased mechanical sweeping of roads and water sprinkling to control road dust. Ban on inter-state diesel buses, except for those that comply with BS-VI or higher emission standards.
- Prohibition on the operation of brick kilns and hot-mix plants that do not adhere to the regulations.
- Ban on the entry of non-essential medium and heavy diesel-powered goods vehicles into Delhi.
- To protect children from exposure to hazardous air pollution, local authorities may shift primary-level classes to an online mode.
