New Delhi: With the drop in temperature, the air quality in Delhi-NCR has slipped into the severe category, prompting the government to re-implement the third phase of GRAP (Graded Response Action Plan) and halt construction in the entire NCR except for Railways, Delhi Metro Forced to ban operations. , and some other departments. The air quality index (AQI) reached the severe category in various hotspot areas of Delhi-NCR including Mathura Road (440), Patparganj (448), Nehru Nagar (462), Sahibabad (452) and Noida Sector-62 (426).
The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has ordered a strict ban on construction and demolition activities in the entire NCR and the nine-point action plan as per Phase-III of GRAP has come into force with immediate effect from Friday.
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This is in addition to the preventive and preventive actions under Phase-I and Phase-II of GRAP, which are already in place.
As per the AQI bulletin provided by CPCB, the overall AQI of Delhi reached 438 on Friday.
The nine-point action plan includes steps to be implemented and ensured by various agencies including Delhi Pollution Control Committee and pollution control boards of NCR.
This includes increased frequency of mechanized and vacuum-based road sweeping, daily water sprinkling as well as the use of dust suppressants before peak traffic hours.
The agencies should check for hotspots on roads and right of way including heavy traffic corridors.
Before issuing the order, a meeting was held with the sub-committee, which comprehensively reviewed the air quality scenario in NCR as well as the meteorological conditions and forecast of AQI for Delhi.
While assessing the overall air quality parameters, the sub-committee observed that the air quality had deteriorated suddenly and unexpectedly, due to dense fog conditions with very high sunlight and very low temperature, calm winds and stable atmospheric conditions together.