After Delhi‘s air quality dipped to the ‘severe’ level for the first time in a month on Sunday with an AQI of around 407, the National Capital Region Air Quality Management Commission was asked to take action under III. Graded Response Action phase. Plan again. As the actions under phases I and II of the plan continue, some other activities will now be affected after the implementation of the third phase of the air pollution plan.
A look at the things that are banned in Phase III GRAP:
1) All private construction activities are prohibited within this action plan. In addition to construction, demolition activities are also prohibited, except for projects related to rail transport or operation of railways, metro projects, airports, ISBT projects, projects related to national security or defense, projects of national importance and medical facilities. Sanitation projects, highways, roads, flyovers, bridges, power transmission and pipeline laying are also permitted during this period.
2) Brick kilns and heating plants that do not run on clean fuels are also prohibited from carrying out any activities in an effort to reduce the level of pollution. In addition, all mining and related activities are prohibited. However, industrial establishments including dairy and dairy units and those involved in the manufacture of life-saving medical equipment, drugs, etc., are exempted from these restrictions.
3) During this time, no road construction or repairs are allowed, including paving sidewalks and roads and medians, etc. However, construction projects that include plumbing, interior decorating, electrical work, and carpentry projects may continue, according to the notice.
4) Under this phase of GRAP, state governments have the power to ban BS III petrol vehicles and BS IV diesel vehicles. This happened last time when the capital’s air quality became “severe”, but under the new implementation of GRAP, the Delhi Transport Department is yet to take a decision.
5) According to CAQM guidelines, earthworks, construction work, demolition, transportation of raw materials, operation of dosing equipment, digging of sewers, cutting and gluing of tiles, etc. are prohibited until further notice.
Phase III GRAP follows when the AQI falls between 401-450. An AQI between 0-50 is considered “good”, between 51 and 100 as “satisfactory”, between 101 and 200 as “moderate”, between 201 and 300 as “poor”, between 301 and 400 as “very poor” and more 400 as “severe”.
