The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) on Friday ordered a ban on non-essential construction work and the use of BS III petrol and BS IV diesel four-wheelers in Delhi and NCR due to deteriorating air quality. Delhi’s overall Air Quality Index (AQI) has been steadily rising since morning, reaching 409 at 4 pm, up from 397 at 10 am. According to data from aqicn.org, the AQI peaked at 831 in Pusa, Delhi; 757 in PGDAV College Sriniwaspuri; 627 in Wazirpur, and 623 in Anand Vihar at 6 pm.

The Commission also advises individuals with flexible working conditions to work from home, use cycles for short distances, share rides, or opt for public transport.

Unfavourable meteorological conditions, including fog and haze with low wind speed, are major contributors to the sudden spike in Delhi’s daily average AQI, as stated in the CAQM’s order. Under Stage III, restrictions are imposed on the operation of BS III petrol and BS IV diesel four wheelers in Delhi, Gurugram, Faridabad, Ghaziabad, and Gautam Budh Nagar. GRAP 3 restrictions are activated when the AQI reaches 400 or higher.

“In view of the current air quality trend and to prevent further deterioration, the Sub-Committee on Friday has decided to reinstate all actions under Stage III of GRAP   ‘Severe’ Air Quality (AQI ranging between 401-450), effective immediately in the entire NCR. This supplements the existing measures under Stage I and Stage II of GRAP already in force in NCR. Various agencies and Pollution Control Boards have been instructed to ensure strict implementation of Stage-III actions, in addition to those under Stage-I and Stage-II,” the CAQM stated.

The CAQM emphasised an eight-point action plan under Stage III of GRAP, applicable immediately throughout the NCR. This plan outlines steps to be taken by different agencies and Pollution Control Boards of NCR and DPCC.

Reactivating Stage-III restrictions, the CAQM has banned non-essential construction work, stone crushing, and mining in Delhi-NCR, excluding activities related to national security or defense, projects of national importance, healthcare, railways, metro rail, airports, interstate bus terminals, highways, roads, flyovers, overbridges, power transmission, pipelines, sanitation, and water supply.

The Delhi government’s transport department will issue a notification soon. GRAP-3 restrictions include a ban on non-essential construction activities and the operation of BS-3 petrol and BS-4 diesel four-wheelers in the Delhi-NCR region. A fine of Rs 20,000 is imposed for non-compliance.

The CAQM appeals to NCR citizens to cooperate in implementing GRAP measures and follow the steps outlined in the Citizen Charter to sustain and improve overall air quality. On Friday, Delhi recorded a minimum temperature of 7.4 degrees Celsius, within the normal winter range, as reported by the India Meteorological Department (IMD). Light rainfall is predicted throughout the day.

GRAP is the Centre’s air pollution control plan implemented in the region during the winter season, categorising actions into four stages: Stage I - ‘Poor’ (AQI 201-300); Stage II - ‘Very Poor’ (AQI 301-400); Stage III - ‘Severe’ (AQI 401-450); and Stage IV - ‘Severe Plus’ (AQI>450).