NEW DELHI: The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) on Wednesday activated Stage-IV restrictions of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) in Delhi-NCR, following a sharp rise in pollution levels, pushing air quality into the ‘severe’ category.
GRAP is a graded framework implemented during winter in Delhi-NCR to tackle escalating air pollution. It classifies air quality into four stages:
- Stage 1: Poor (AQI 201-300)
- Stage 2: Very Poor (AQI 301-400)
- Stage 3: Severe (AQI 401-450)
- Stage 4: Severe Plus (AQI above 450)
Key Restrictions Under GRAP Stage-IV
- Construction and Demolition Ban
- All construction and demolition activities are prohibited.
- Exceptions: Projects of public importance, such as railways, airports, bus terminals, defense infrastructure, and hospitals.
- Mining and Crushing Operations
- Complete shutdown of stone crushers and mining activities across NCR.
- Vehicle Restrictions
- Ban on BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel light motor vehicles (LMVs) in Delhi, Gurgaon, Faridabad, Ghaziabad, and Noida.
- Exception: Vehicles adapted for use by persons with disabilities.
- Delhi-registered diesel medium goods vehicles (BS-IV or below) are restricted, except those carrying essential goods or providing essential services.
- Diesel-operated light commercial vehicles (LCVs) from outside Delhi (BS-IV or below) are prohibited from entering the city unless carrying essential goods or services.
- Ban on BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel light motor vehicles (LMVs) in Delhi, Gurgaon, Faridabad, Ghaziabad, and Noida.
- Truck Traffic Control
- Entry of truck traffic into Delhi is stopped, except for trucks carrying essential commodities or providing essential services.
- LNG, CNG, electric, and BS-VI diesel trucks are allowed to enter Delhi.
These measures aim to curb pollution and mitigate its health impact as Delhi grapples with deteriorating air quality.
