Delhi air pollution: The strictest measures under Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), which is the Stage 4. The Delhi government has also put in a ban on vehicles non-compliant with BS-VI standards and coming from outside the city. Apart from it, vehicles without Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificates will also not be allowed fuel at any of the fuel stations across the city.
However, these strict measures are in place as long as GRAP-IV is enforced due to a severe air quality index (AQI) in the national capital. On Wednesday, the government modified its earlier directive of implementing the ban in other GRAP stages as well, maintaining that “if enforced beyond Stage IV, it would have led to massive disruption”.
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What is banned under GRAP 4?
In its order, the Delhi government mandated work from home for 50% of its staff, and advised the same for private employers as well. The vehicles carrying construction material have also been restricted to ply in the city. The government is also planning to introduce a carpooling application to facilitate shared ride among office-goers.
According to the directives, following restrictions are in place under GRAP-IV:
- Vehicles without valid PUC certificates will not be given fuel
- Private vehicles registered outside Delhi below BS-VI are not allowed to enter the city
- Construction activity halted; trucks carrying construction material barred
- Govt and private offices to operate with half staff working from home
- Those violating the guidelines are punishable under the Environment (Protection) Act
- Rs 10,000 compensation announced for registered construction workers
The government has also deployed over 500 police personnel, 37 Prakhar vans, 126 checkpoints to oversee the implementation of the directions. Those involved in essential services like hospitals, utilities, transport, enforcement and disaster services have been exempted from the ban.
Delhi air pollution
The air quality in the national capital and adjoining areas continue to worry the residents. With mercury dropping, and the wind with it, the pollutants in the air across the capital have increased to alarming levels.
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The authorities have advised those with co-morbid conditions, and elderly to avoid coming out of their homes.
On Thursday, large parts of the capital were covered under a dense layer of toxic smog, significantly reducing visibility. RK Puram was shrouded in thick smog, with an AQI of 374, placing it in the ‘very poor’ category, according to CPCB.
A thick layer of smog also engulfed areas around Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, with an AQI reported to be 349, placing the area in the ‘very poor’ category. The AQI around the Najafgarh area was a bit low, and reported to be 284, though it was surrounded by a toxic smog as well, according to the CPCB data.
The Parliament is also likely to take up a discussion on air pollution on Thursday. |
