Delhi air pollution: GRAP 3 implemented; Know what is banned, what is allowed
Delhi air pollution: Delhi has implemented stricter air pollution control measures after the AQI reached the 'severe' level. The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) decided to raise the pollution mitigation level to GRAP-3, beginning at 8 a.m. on Friday.
While GRAP-3 is in force, petrol vehicles with earlier emission requirements BS-III and diesel vehicles with BS-IV are not permitted on roads in Delhi and sections of the National Capital Region (NCR), including Gurugram, Ghaziabad, Faridabad, and Gautam Budh Nagar.
Non-essential construction and demolition activities are prohibited, among other things. The construction restriction does not apply to projects involving national security, healthcare, or certain public infrastructure.
The third phase of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP-3) includes the deployment of more mechanised road-sweeping and water-sprinkling machines to control dust. Diesel generators will be limited to emergency use only.
Earlier today, Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai announced that GRAP-3 would not be implemented.
"For the last two days, for the first time this season, AQI has gone above 400 in Delhi. Many people have questions in their minds about why the AQI which was in the 'poor' or 'very poor' category since October 14 suddenly went into the 'severe' category," he stated.
At 9 a.m. today, Delhi's AQI reading was 428, placing it in the 'severe' category. On Wednesday, the city reported the country's worst AQI, with air quality reaching 'severe' for the first time this season.
Doctors advised individuals to stay indoors as much as possible. Severe air pollution has an impact on not just physical health but also cognitive well-being, altering mood and emotional resilience.
- PTC NEWS
