GRAP-3 implemented in Delhi as pollution level rise again
The Center on Friday ordered a ban on non-essential construction work and four-wheelers running on BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel amid deteriorating air quality in Delhi-National Capital Region (NCR). The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM), the statutory body that formulates strategies to deal with pollution in the region, issued an order saying adverse meteorological conditions including fog and haze along with low wind speed will increase Delhi’s daily average air quality index (AQI). The main reason for the sudden increase.
The overall AQI of Delhi has been continuously increasing since Friday morning. It was 397 at 10 am and 409 at 4 pm. CAQM has ordered a ban on non-essential construction work, stone breaking and mining in Delhi-NCR while re-imposing restrictions under the third phase of the Phased Response Action Plan (GRAP). Construction works related to national security, projects of national importance, health services, railways, metro rail, airports, interstate bus stands, highways, roads, flyovers, overbridges, power transmissions, pipelines, sanitation and water supply are exempted from this ban.
The order will be applicable on NCR also
Under the third phase of GRAP, a ban has also been imposed on the operation of BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel four-wheelers in Delhi, Gurugram, Faridabad, Ghaziabad and Gautam Buddha Nagar. GRAP is the Centre’s air pollution control scheme, which is implemented in the area during the winter season.
Which status on how much pollution?
The action under GRAP has been classified into four stages, including Stage I – ‘Poor’ (AQI 201-300), Stage II – ‘Very Poor’ (AQI 301-400), Stage III – ‘Severe’ (AQI 401 -450) and Stage IV – ‘Very Severe’ (AQI more than 450).
