Delhi pollution: Restrictions under GRAP-III of anti-pollution measures have been invoked again in the Delhi-National Capital Region as the air quality deteriorated to the ‘severe’ category on Sunday.
Anti-pollution restrictions have been imposed in Delhi-NCR with immediate effect after the capital’s air quality deteriorated to the ‘severe’ quality on Friday. Under GRAP-III of anti-pollution measures by the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM), all non-essential construction work and the operation of BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel vehicles will be banned.
The central commission also advised state governments to take a decision on discontinuing schools for up to Class 5.
The decision to reintroduce restrictions under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) was made after a review meeting of the commission on Sunday morning.
“(The) committee for operationalisation of GRAP called an emergency meeting today morning in view of sudden deterioration of air quality of Delhi-NCR from last evening. The Sub-Committee decides to invoke 8 point action plan as per Stage-III of revised GRAP in the entire NCR with immediate effect,” the commission said in a statement.
The anti-pollution steps under the 8-point action plan by the central commission are:
- Intensify the frequency of mechanised and vacuum-based sweeping of roads.
- Ensure daily water sprinkling, along with dust suppressants, before peak traffic hours on roads and pollution hotspots.
- Intensify public transport services and introduce differential rates to encourage off-peak travel.
- Enforce a strict ban on construction and demolition activities in the entire NCR, except essential projects.
- Close down operations of stone crushers.
- Close down all mining and associated activities in NCR.
- Impose strict restrictions on the operation of BS III petrol and BS IV diesel LMVs.
- Make a decision on discontinuing physical classes in schools for children up to class 4 and conduct classes in an online mode.
- The 24-hour overall Air Quality Index (AQI) in Delhi on Sunday crossed the 400 mark, falling in the ‘severe’ category.
Article Credit: indiatoday