In response to deteriorating air quality, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has initiated Stage-III restrictions of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) throughout Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR). This move comes as the region’s Air Quality Index (AQI) reached an alarming level of 382, categorizing the air as “very poor.”
Measures Under GRAP-III
The GRAP framework is designed to tackle air pollution by categorizing air quality into four distinct levels: “poor,” “very poor,” “severe,” and “severe plus.” With the current AQI falling into the “very poor” category, stringent measures are now in place to mitigate further degradation.
Among the actions enforced under Stage-III are a complete halt to non-essential construction and demolition activities, including earthwork, piling, and trenching. Additionally, Ready-Mix Concrete (RMC) operations in open-air settings are suspended.
Restrictions extend to vehicular emissions with a ban on BS-3 petrol and BS-4 diesel vehicles on Delhi and NCR roads. Diesel buses from other states are also prohibited from entering or operating in the capital. The transportation of construction materials like sand and cement, especially on unpaved roads, is banned, alongside the closure of stone crushers and mining operations not using clean fuel. The operation of diesel generator sets is restricted to emergency services only.
Impact on Daily Life
To further reduce vehicular emissions, private companies are encouraged to adopt work-from-home or hybrid work models. This measure aims to cut down on the number of vehicles on the road, thus lowering pollution levels.
Educational institutions are also affected, with schools up to Class 5 required to transition to online classes. This decision is made to protect young children from exposure to the toxic air, which poses significant health risks.
The CAQM’s decision to implement these measures is part of a broader strategy to address the chronic air pollution problem that plagues Delhi and its surrounding areas, especially during the festive season when firecracker use exacerbates the situation.
These actions are crucial as they aim to prevent the air quality from slipping into even more hazardous levels, ensuring that public health is not compromised during this critical time.
Source: NDTV India
