Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR) are once again grappling with a severe air quality crisis, prompting authorities to immediately enforce the stringent Stage III restrictions under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP).
The decision was taken by the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) after the city's average Air Quality Index (AQI) rapidly crossed the 401-mark, pushing it into the 'Severe' category. This sharp deterioration, noted in the early hours of Saturday, is attributed to unfavourable weather conditions—specifically, calm winds and a stable atmosphere that prevented pollutants from dispersing.
Key Restrictions Under GRAP Stage III
GRAP is a set of emergency measures categorized into four stages, with Stage III being triggered when the AQI ranges between 401 and 450. The immediate implementation of these curbs aims to prevent the situation from deteriorating further into the dangerous 'Severe Plus' category (AQI above 450).
The main prohibitions that come into effect across Delhi-NCR are:
- Construction and Demolition (C&D) Ban: All non-essential construction and demolition activities are strictly banned. This includes earthwork, piling, excavation, demolition, painting, plastering, and operations of Ready-Mix Concrete (RMC) batching plants.
- Exemptions: C&D work related to essential public services like Metro, Railway, airport, highway, defence, and healthcare projects are allowed, subject to strict dust control norms.
- Vehicular Restrictions: Strict restrictions are imposed on the movement of older, more polluting vehicles.
- The plying of BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel four-wheelers is restricted in Delhi and the NCR districts (Gurugram, Faridabad, Ghaziabad, and Gautam Budh Nagar).
- Non-essential diesel-powered Medium Goods Vehicles (MGVs) are also not permitted to enter or ply in Delhi.
- Industrial Closures: The operation of stone crushers, brick kilns, and mining activities is ordered to cease across the entire NCR.
- Educational Measures: Schools may shift classes up to Grade 5 to a hybrid or online mode depending on local authority advisories.
The Health Emergency
The alarming rise in pollution levels poses a severe public health risk, particularly for vulnerable populations like children, the elderly, and those with pre-existing respiratory and cardiovascular conditions. Monitoring stations across the capital reported critically high readings, with areas like Wazirpur, Vivek Vihar, and Jahangirpuri recording AQI well above 440.
The CAQM has directed pollution control boards and enforcement agencies to intensify monitoring and compliance checks to ensure all Stage III measures are strictly followed. Non-compliance is punishable with heavy fines under the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981, and the Motor Vehicles Act.
