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Increased pollution in Delhi-NCR, GRAP stage 3 has been implemented, 10 changes will be made from today

Air pollution is increasing in Delhi-NCR amid a blanket of haze. The air quality is on the verge of reaching the ‘severe’ category. The 24-hour average air quality index in Delhi was 393 at 7 pm. This is the worst level since January this year. Earlier, the Air Quality Index of Delhi was 312 on Monday (Diwali), 302 on Tuesday, 271 on Wednesday and 354 on Thursday. Delhi’s air has been forecast to worsen in the next three days. In view of the deteriorating air quality, the Air Quality Management Commission has decided to implement the measures under Phase III of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP).

The Air Quality Management Commission (CAQM) emergency convened on Saturday evening said that there has been a sudden increase in the incidence of adverse weather conditions and stubble burning. For this reason, phase three of GRAP should be implemented immediately in Delhi-NCR. Keeping in view the gravity of the situation in the capital and its surrounding areas, the GRAP has a list of anti-air pollution measures.

10 important changes to happen under GRAP Stage 3

  1. Ban on all construction and demolition activities, except for essential projects and services related to national security, defence, healthcare, railways, airports, metro rail, interstate bus terminus, highways, roads, flyovers, power transmission, pipelines. Mining activities will also not be allowed in the area.
  2. Earthworks for excavation, boring and drilling in the ban on construction and demolition activities; fabrication and welding operations; loading and unloading of building materials; Transfer of raw materials including fly ash (either manual or through conveyor belt) and vehicular movement on unpaved roads.
  3. Operation of batching plants under third phase; sewer line laying, waterline, drainage works and electric cabling through open trench system; cutting and applying tiles, stones and other flooring materials; grinding activities; water proofing work; Including restrictions on road construction and repair work.
  4. In view of the deteriorating air quality, Delhi-NCR may ban the plying of BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel powered four wheelers. This instruction is not binding on the officers.
  5. Brick kilns, hot mix plants and stone crushers not operating on clean fuel and mining and allied activities in NCR have also been banned.
  6. Industries and supplies that do not run on approved fuels in industrial areas with PNG infrastructure will have to be shut down.
  7. In industrial areas that do not have PNG infrastructure and supplies, industries that do not use approved fuels can operate only five days a week. Paper and pulp processing, distilleries and captive thermal power plants will remain closed on Saturdays and Sundays. Paddy/Rice processing units will remain closed on Monday and Tuesday. The textile/textile and apparel industries will remain closed on Wednesdays and Thursdays including dyeing processes. Other industries which do not fall in the above category will remain closed on Fridays and Saturdays.
  8. Milk and dairy units and those involved in manufacturing of life-saving medical equipment, drugs and medicines have been exempted from the restrictions.
  9. Under the third phase, the frequency of mechanized/vacuum based cleaning of roads will have to be increased.
  10. Officials are expected to sprinkle water on roads, hotspots, heavy traffic corridors before peak traffic hours. Use dust mitigation devices and throw the collected dust at designated sites or landfills.