New guidelines issued to put brakes on pollution in Delhi-NCR, construction work banned

Delhi-NCR Pollution Ban on Construction: The government as well as the administration have now come down heavily on the deteriorating air quality in Delhi-NCR. In order to bring down the level of air pollution, the Air Quality Management Commission (CAQM) has banned construction and demolition activities across Delhi-NCR, except for a few projects. To prevent deterioration in air quality, the implementation of Phase III of the Graded Response Action Plan has been directed to be implemented with immediate effect.

Delhi | Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) bans construction & demolition activities in the entire NCR, except for some projects; directs the implementation of Stage III of Graded Response Action Plan with immediate effect to prevent further deterioration of air quality — ANI (@ANI) October 29, 2022

Vehicles may also be banned

Amid rising pollution levels in Delhi, the Centre's air quality panel on Saturday directed officials of the National Capital Region to immediately implement the restrictions under Phase III of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP). The restrictions include a ban on construction and demolition activities except for other essential projects including national security, defence, railways and metro rail. The Air Quality Management Commission (CAQM) also said that the authorities may ban the plying of BS III petrol and BS IV diesel four wheelers in NCR in view of the deteriorating air quality.

Delhi-NCR in critical condition

Delhi's 24-hour average air quality index stood at 397 at 4 pm, the worst since January. It was 354 on Thursday, 271 on Wednesday, 302 on Tuesday and 312 on Monday (Diwali). GRAP is a set of anti-air pollution measures in the capital and its surrounding areas according to the gravity of the situation. It categorizes the air quality in Delhi-NCR into four distinct stages: Stage I - 'poor' (AQI 201-300); Stage II - 'Very poor' (AQI 301-400); Stage III - 'Severe' (AQI 401-450); and Phase IV - 'Severe Plus' (AQI>450).

Morning walkers, cyclists & joggers work out near India Gate amid dipping air quality in Delhi

A group of cyclists says, "We're from Gurugram. there's breathing difficulty & irritation in eyes."

Surendra, a fitness enthusiast says, "Govt should see where to go from here next." pic.twitter.com/sECKn9rtJv — ANI (@ANI) October 29, 2022

Allow only essential projects

Under Phase III, authorities have been asked to impose strict restrictions on construction and demolition activities in the NCR, except for essential projects (such as railways, metro, airports, ISBTs, projects related to defense of national security/national importance). Non-polluting activities such as plumbing, carpentry, interior decoration and electrical work. Brick-kilns, hot mix plants and stone crushers not operating on clean fuel and mining and related activities in NCR have also been banned. The CAQM said that in Delhi-NCR, state governments can ban BS III petrol and BS IV diesel four-wheelers under the third phase.