The complete ban on certain kinds of vehicles under stage three of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) in Delhi is taking a toll on citizens, particularly the elderly, single women, and medical professionals who are unable to commute in emergencies.

Satyawati Narula, a resident of Sangam Vihar in South Delhi, said, “A blanket ban on vehicles of a certain category is mindless. I am a widow with no help, no driver to take me around. I drive myself to save money, but now I am marooned in my home and unable to move for my medical needs and, at times, banking requirements. I support the Government’s move in containing pollution but would urge them to tweak their rules to help people like me who must be in large numbers in Delhi-NCR so that their commuting needs are allowed.”

She said the government, after issuing pollution clearance certificates for BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel vehicles, is now imposing heavy fines of `20,000 on them in the name of pollution, causing harassment to the people. As air quality turned severe again in the national capital, Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai held a review meeting on Friday with officials from the Environment Department and the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC).

He directed the concerned agencies and departments to ensure the strict implementation of restrictions on polluting vehicles and to monitor the increasing incidents of biomass burning. Rai said the Transport Department and the Delhi Traffic Police have been instructed to rigorously oversee the implementation of restrictions on BS III petrol and BS IV diesel vehicles under Stage III of the Centre’s air pollution control plan, known as the Graded Response Action Plan. To achieve this, the Transport Department has deployed 84 teams, and the Delhi Police have deployed 284 teams, according to Rai.

Biomass burning, vehicular pollution, and dust are the reasons for the increasing pollution levels in winter. Additionally, the wind speed is lower during winter due to meteorological conditions. When there is a change in these conditions, the wind speed decreases, and the wind direction changes,” he said.

GRAP Stage III requires a total halt to all building and demolition operations, with the exception of critical government projects, mining, and stone crushing. It also prohibits the admission of light commercial vehicles registered outside of Delhi, as well as diesel-powered trucks, medium and heavy freight vehicles (excluding those participating in critical activities).

The Minister mentioned that the restrictions under GRAP IV have been modified and now include a ban on BS 3 petrol and BS 4 diesel vehicles, which were allowed to enter Delhi earlier.

If Delhi air quality deteriorates in the future and GRAP IV is invoked again, such vehicles will be banned from entering the national Capital, said the Minister, adding that the State Government may impose more stringent measures to curb air pollution in the city if rules are flouted.

Rai appealed to the residents to comply with rules on a day when Delhiites woke up to a thick layer of smog engulfing the city on Friday. The air quality, categorised as “severe” in most parts, worsened due to a dip in temperatures and slow wind speed at night, allowing the accumulation of pollutants. The average Air Quality Index (AQI) was recorded at 401 at 9 am, settling at 415 by 4 pm.

At 11 am, the AQI readings for specific areas were alarming: Anand Vihar at 848, Jahangirpuri at 808, Shahdara at 762, Mother Dairy at 676, and Bawana at 638.

According to scientists, 36 per cent of pollution in Delhi and NCR is due to vehicles, and 31 per cent to biomass burning.

The AQI in Wazirpur was recorded at 454, Jehangirpuri 453, Vivek Vihar 447, Rohini 447, Punjabi Bagh 437, Ashok Vihar 433, Anand Vihar 849, Patparganj 422, North Campus 420, Sonia Vihar 420, Burari Crossing 402, Moti Bagh 399, National Stadium 387, and Lodhi Road 347.

Delhi has been witnessing a gradual increase in AQI levels after a marginal improvement on Sunday.

The 24-hour average AQI, recorded at 4 pm every day, was 390 on Thursday, 394 on Wednesday, 365 on Tuesday, 348 on Monday, and 301 on Sunday.

The Municipal Corporation of Delhi and the revenue department have been instructed to check the incidents of biomass burning. The increase in AQI levels comes after the Centre on Saturday removed stringent curbs, including a ban on construction work related to linear projects and the entry of polluting trucks in Delhi, following a drop in pollution levels due to favorable wind speed and direction.

Neighbouring Ghaziabad (386), Gurugram (321), Greater Noida (345), Noida (344), and Faridabad (410) also recorded “very poor” to “severe” air quality.