New Delhi: Amid a sudden spike in air pollution due to fog and extreme cold weather, the Centre’s air quality panel on Friday directed implementation of restrictions under Phase III of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) in Delhi-NCR, including Including bans on non-air pollution. -Essential construction and demolition work. Delhi’s 24-hour average air quality index on Friday stood at 400, a notch below the severe category. The sub-committee on GRAP said in a review meeting that the AQI is likely to worsen in the coming days due to adverse weather conditions.
It directed authorities in Delhi-NCR to implement restrictions under Phase III of the anti-pollution plan with immediate effect. If the AQI is expected to reach the severe category, preventive action under Stage III should be initiated at least three days in advance, according to GRAP.
The restrictions under Phase III include closure of non-essential construction and demolition, stone crushers and mining activities in the Delhi-National Capital Region (NCR).
Grapp Phase III Ban: Who’s Banned and Who’s Not Allowed
Under the third phase of GRAP, all construction and demolition work is prohibited except for essential projects in Delhi-NCR.
Brick kilns, hot mix plants and stone crushers are also not allowed to operate.
Mining activities will also not be allowed in the area.
-Stage III also places restrictions on operation of batching plants; Laying of sewer line, waterline, drainage work and electric cable through open trench system.
States may ban the plying of BS III petrol and BS IV diesel four-wheelers in the NCR in view of the deteriorating air quality.
Industries not running on the approved fuel in industrial areas with PNG infrastructure and supply will have to be shut down.
In industrial areas that do not have PNG infrastructure and supply, industries that do not use the approved fuel can operate only five days a week.
Authorities are required to sprinkle water and use dust suppressant on roads, hotspots and heavy traffic corridors before peak traffic hours and dispose the collected dust at designated sites or landfills.
Authorities need to speed up public transport services and introduce differential rates to encourage off-peak travel.