Centre Bans Non-Essential Construction, Polluting Vehicles in Delhi As Air Quality Worsens

New Delhi: In response to the deteriorating air quality in Delhi-NCR, the Centre has implemented stringent measures, including a ban on non-essential construction activities and the movement of BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel four-wheelers in the region. The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM), responsible for pollution control, cited adverse meteorological conditions such as fog, haze, and low wind speed as the key factors behind the sudden spike in the daily average air quality index (AQI).

As of the latest update, Delhi’s overall AQI has been steadily increasing, reaching 397 at 10 am and 409 at 4 pm on Friday. In accordance with Stage III of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), the CAQM has imposed restrictions on non-essential construction work, stone crushing, and mining in Delhi-NCR. However, construction activities related to national security, defence, healthcare, transportation, and other critical sectors are exempted from the ban.

Additionally, under Stage III, the operation of BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel four-wheelers is restricted in Delhi, Gurugram, Faridabad, Ghaziabad, and Gautam Budh Nagar. It’s important to note that GRAP, the government’s air pollution control plan for the winter season, categorizes actions into four stages based on the AQI levels: 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). These measures aim to address the escalating air quality concerns and mitigate the impact on public health and the environment.