Pollution rises in NCR as GRAP-3 restrictions come into force
New Delhi: After the air quality in Delhi-NCR continued to deteriorate ahead of Diwali, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has implemented restrictions under Stage 3 of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP). On Friday, Delhi’s 24-hour average Air Quality Index (AQI) was recorded at 382, which falls in the very poor category and is close to the severe category threshold. The step has been taken as a precaution in view of the pollution situation and forecasts that air quality may worsen further in the next few days.
With GRAP-3 coming into force, construction and demolition work that generates dust has been banned across the NCR. This includes activities related to excavation, piling, trenching and construction material kept in the open. However, essential projects such as railways, metro, hospitals, airports, water supply and sanitation have been given the prescribed exemptions.
The commission has also directed the state governments of Delhi-NCR to decide on allowing 50 per cent of employees in government and private offices to work from home. Private companies have been advised to adopt work-from-home or hybrid arrangements.
Under GRAP-3, a ban will also apply on the operation of BS-3 petrol and BS-4 diesel four-wheelers in Delhi and some districts of the NCR. Along with a halt on stone crushers, mining and polluting hot mix plants, there will also be strictness on the transport of construction material. Schools have been instructed to implement the option of hybrid, or online and offline, classes for children up to Class 5.
According to experts, slow wind speed and adverse weather conditions are causing pollutant particles to accumulate in the atmosphere. Vehicle emissions, dust from construction, stubble burning and emissions from firecrackers may make the situation more serious.
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