Ban on entry of trucks in Delhi; classes may go online in NCR
With Delhi’s air quality index (AQI) being just a notch short of “severe plus” category, the Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR and Adjoining Areas (CAQM) on Thursday ordered the Delhi and State Governments to implement a ban on entry of trucks into Delhi and the plying of four-wheeled diesel light motor vehicles in the national Capital and adjoining NCR districts as part of anti-pollution steps.
The order further stated that the State Government may take a call on the closure of educational institutions, non-emergency commercial activities and plying of vehicles on odd-even basis. Noida among NCR districts ordered online classes. Central and State Governments may decide on permitting work from home.
The decision was taken at a high-level meeting of the CAQM Sub-Committee for invoking actions under GRAP held an emergency meeting in wake of unfavourable meteorological conditions deteriorating the air quality of NCR on Thursday. Reacting to the CAQM’s order, the Delhi Government officials said they are examining it.
“Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai will convene a high-level meeting on Friday to discuss the implementation of curbs on polluting activities under the final stage of the Graded Response Action Plan,” Delhi Government officials said.
Exceptions have been given for trucks carrying essential commodities, providing essential services, and all CNG and electric trucks. The ban is part of a list of actions under “stage 4” of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), that the CAQM has ordered State Governments in the NCR to take “with immediate effect”.
“Ban on plying of 4-wheeler diesel LMVs in NCT of Delhi and Districts of NCR bordering Delhi, except BS-VI vehicles and vehicles used for essential/emergency services,” the order read.
The CAQM also ordered a ban on Delhi-registered diesel-run medium and heavy goods vehicles in the Capital.
“Those carrying essential commodities and providing essential services are exempted. The entry of trucks other than electric and CNG ones in Delhi is banned too. Those carrying essential commodities are exempted,” it said.
The CAQM also directed closure of all industries running on non-clean fuels in the region, “even in areas which do not have PNG infrastructure and supply”. Delhi’s 24-hour average AQI stood at 450 on Wednesday.
The CAQM said NCR State Governments/Delhi Government should decide on allowing public, municipal and private offices to work on 50 per cent strength and the rest to work from home and the Central Government may take a decision on permitting work from home for Central Government offices.
The CAQM further advised children, elderly and those with respiratory, cardiovascular, cerebrovascular or other chronic diseases to avoid outdoor activities and stay indoors, as much as possible.
The commission said State Governments may consider additional emergency measures like closure of schools/ colleges/ educational institutions, closure of non-emergency commercial activities and plying of vehicles on odd-even basis.
“The commission while comprehensively reviewing the overall air quality parameters during the meeting noted that due to unfavourable meteorological conditions with slower wind speed and rising farm fire incidents, it is considered necessary to implement stage IV of GRAP with immediate effect as a precautionary step to avoid further deterioration of overall air quality in the NCR,” the CAQM said in a statement.
According to the Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago’s (EPIC) Air Quality Life Index (AQLI) released in June, the residents of Delhi stand to lose 10 years of life expectancy due to poor air quality.
With the pollution levels worsening, the CAQM had directed authorities on Saturday to impose a ban on construction and demolition activities in Delhi-NCR, barring essential projects, and other curbs under the third stage of the GRAP.