New Delhi: In view of the rise in air pollution, 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 on non-essential construction and demolition. Restrictions are also included. work. Delhi’s 24-hour average air quality index (AQI) stood at 399 on Friday.
An AQI between 201 and 300 is considered ‘poor’, 301 and 400 ‘very poor’ and 401 and 500 ‘severe’. The sub-committee on GRAP said in a review meeting that the AQI is likely to fall in the severe category due to calm winds and stable atmospheric conditions.
It directed authorities in Delhi-NCR to implement restrictions under Phase III of the anti-pollution plan with immediate effect. The GRAP is a set of anti-air pollution measures to be taken in the capital and its surrounding areas according to the severity of the situation.
It classifies the air quality in Delhi-NCR into four different 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).
If the AQI is expected to reach the severe category, preventive actions under Phase III should be initiated at least three days in advance. These include ban on non-essential construction and demolition, closure of stone crushers and mining activities in the area.
Non-polluting activities such as plumbing, carpentry, interior decoration and electrical works are permitted.
The next phase – the “Severe Plus” category or Phase IV – includes steps such as banning entry of trucks in Delhi, allowing 50 per cent employees in public, municipal and private offices to work from home, closure of educational institutions and so on. and plying of vehicles on odd-even basis etc.