Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) Stage III imposed in Delhi-NCR as Air quality nears Very Poor category with Air Quality Index (AQI) 353, as per System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research (SAFAR).
In view of a spike in air pollution, the Centre’s air quality panel directed implementation of curbs under stage III of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) in Delhi-NCR, including a ban on non-essential construction and demolition work.
In view of the air quality of Delhi continuing to remain in the ‘Very Poor’ category, the Sub-Committee for invoking actions under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), decided that the ongoing actions implemented under Stage III of GRAP shall continue for the present, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change informed.
In view of a spike in air pollution, the Commission of Air Quality Management (CAQM) had on 30 December 2022 directed the implementation of the curbs under Stage III of the GRAP in Delhi-NCR.
Under Stage III, the commission has prescribed a ban on all construction and demolition activities, barring essential projects and services concerning national security, defence, healthcare, railways, airports, metro rail, interstate bus terminus, highways, roads, flyovers, power transmission, pipelines among others. It also suggested to bar mining activities in the region.
GRAP is a set of anti-air pollution measures followed in the capital and its vicinity according to the severity of the situation. It classifies the air quality in Delhi-NCR under four different 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).
If the AQI is projected to reach the ‘severe’ category, restrictive actions under Stage III are to be invoked at least three days in advance. These include a ban on non-essential construction and demolition, closure of stone crushers and mining activities in the region.
According to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Delhi overall Air Quality Index (AQI) clocked 357 on 2nd January as per the 4PM AQI Bulletin provided by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).
The Sub-Committee for invoking actions under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) of the Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR & Adjoining Areas (CAQM) met on 30 December to review the air quality scenario of Delhi-NCR.
Considering this, the Sub-Committee for invoking actions under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), after comprehensively reviewing the air quality scenario and relevant aspects has decided that the “ongoing actions implemented under Stage III of GRAP shall continue for the present.”
Stage III of GRAP means a ban on all construction activities except those of national importance.
The Sub-Committee is keeping a close watch on the situation and will review the air quality scenario accordingly on a regular basis.
All construction and demolition work, except for essential projects, is banned in Delhi-NCR under the third stage of the GRAP.
Brick kilns, hot mix plants and stone crushers are also not allowed to operate.
Ensure daily water sprinkling along with dust suppressants before peak traffic hours on roads, hotspots, heavy traffic corridors, proper disposal of collected dust in sites.
For industrial areas having PNG infrastructure and supply, strict enforce ban on these industries not running on fuels as in the standard list of approved fuels for NCR.
The Sub-Committee observed that the air quality has deteriorated over the last few hours and the AQI of Delhi was recorded as 399 on 30 December an AQI between 201 and 300 is considered ‘poor’, 301 and 400 ‘very poor’, and 401 and 500 ‘severe’.
Strict ban has been imposed on non-essential construction and demolition activities. This excludes railway services, national security or defence related activities, hospitals or healthcare facilities, and sanitation projects, among others.
Amid worsening pollution levels, the authorities have advised people to work from home or carpool to the office. Furthermore, people have been advised to use public transport.
Non-polluting activities such as plumbing, carpentry, interior decoration, and electrical work are allowed.
Milk, dairy units and those involved in manufacturing of life-saving medical equipment, drugs and medicines have been exempt from the restrictions.
The state governments in Delhi-NCR may also impose restrictions on BS III petrol and BS IV diesel light motor vehicles (four-wheelers) under Stage III.
Brick kilns, hot mix plants and stone crushers not operating on clean fuels, and mining and associated activities in NCR will also be banned under Stage III. The state governments in Delhi-NCR may also impose restrictions on BS III petrol and BS IV diesel light motor vehicles (four wheelers) under Stage III.
From 1st January 2023, use of coal (except coal with low sulphur in thermal power plants) and other unapproved fuels stand completely banned in the entire NCR; only fuels amongst the standard list of approved fuels, to be allowed across NCR, Commission for Air Quality Management said.