Amid worsening air quality in Delhi-NCR, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) ordered a ban on non-essential construction work and plying of BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel four-wheelers in the region, on Sunday.
A significant rise in Delhi’s AQI has been observed due to unfavourable climatic conditions and sources of local pollution. This has been noted by the Commission for Air Quality Management, a statutory body responsible for forming air pollution reduction strategies for the region and their implementation.
After anticipating a prolonged period of severe air quality, the GRAP Stage-III curbs (‘severe’ air quality index (AQI) range) were also decided to be implemented immediately by the committee, in order to prevent further deterioration.
The curbs include a ban on non-essential construction work and the plying of BS III petrol and BS IV deisel four-wheelers in the region.
Among the things exempted from the ban are construction work related to national security or defence, projects of national importance, healthcare, railways, metro rail, airports, inter-state bus terminals, highways, roads, flyovers, overbridges, power transmission, pipelines, sanitation and water supply.
The Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) is the Centre’s air pollution control plan implemented in the region during the winter season.
It categorises actions into four stages: Stage I – ‘Poor’ (AQI 201-300); Stage II – ‘Very Poor’ (AQI 301-400); Stage III – ‘Severe’ (AQI 401-450); and Stage IV – ‘Severe Plus’ (AQI>450).
(with PTI inputs)
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