The Commission for Air Quality Management, a statutory body responsible for forming air pollution reduction strategies for the region and their implementation, noted a significant rise in Delhi’s AQI due to unfavourable climatic conditions.
Amid worsening air pollution in freezing winters, the Union government on Sunday ordered a ban on non-essential construction work and plying of BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel four-wheelers in Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR).
Read More: Budget 2024: Nirmala Sitharaman may give you more cash in hand on February 1
The Commission for Air Quality Management, a statutory body responsible for forming air pollution reduction strategies for the region and their implementation, noted a significant rise in Delhi’s AQI due to unfavourable climatic conditions as well as other pollutants.
It was 458 at 10 AM on Sunday and 457 at 11 AM.
Anticipating a prolonged period of severe air quality, the committee decided to implement GRAP Stage-III curbs (‘severe’ air quality index (AQI) range) immediately to prevent further deterioration.
Read More: Did You Know: Infosys Boss Narayana Murthy Faced Job Rejection By Wipro’s Azim Premji
Among the works exempted from the ban include: Construction work related to national security or defence, projects of national importance, healthcare, railways, metro rail, airports, inter-state bus terminals, highways, roads, flyovers, overbridges, power transmission, pipelines, sanitation and water supply.
The Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) is the Centre’s air pollution control plan implemented in the region during the winter season.
It categorises actions into four 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).
Read More: Supreme Court Issues Directions On Much Talked About Compensation In Hit and Run Cases; Check Here
Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai said that, “GRAP-3 rule has been imposed due to the rising pollution.”
