NEW DELHI: The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) on Wednesday imposed Stage IV restrictions of the Phased Response Action Plan (GRAP) in Delhi-NCR after pollution levels rose to the ‘severe’ category.
The CAQM in its order said Delhi’s AQI rose sharply to 386 on Wednesday and is expected to cross the 400 mark as predicted by the IMD, mainly due to dense fog conditions and low temperatures.
During winters, CAQM imposes restrictions as per GRAP in Delhi-NCR, which classifies air quality into four stages: Stage 1 (Poor, AQI 201-300), Stage 2 (Very Poor, AQI 301-400), Stage 3 (Severe, AQI 401-450) and Stage 4 (Severe Plus, AQI greater than 450).
Key restrictions according to GRAP-4:
- Prohibition of construction and demolition activities (exception: projects of public importance, including railways, airports, bus terminals, defense and hospitals).
- Shut down stone crusher operations across NCR.
- Shut down all mining and associated activities.
- Ban on BS-lll petrol and BS-lV diesel light motor vehicles in Delhi, Gurgaon, Faridabad, Ghaziabad and Noida. (Exception: BS-Petrol/BS-IV light diesel engine vehicles may be used by persons with disabilities, provided they are specifically adopted for them and operated solely for their use)
- Restriction of movement of diesel-powered medium goods vehicles registered in Delhi with BS-IV norms or below, in Delhi. (except those transporting essential products or providing essential services)
- Entry restriction into Delhi for diesel operated light commercial vehicles (goods carriers) BS-IV and below, registered outside Delhi. (except those that transport essential products or provide essential services)
- Stop entry of truck traffic into Delhi (except trucks carrying essential goods or providing essential services).
- However, all LNG/CNG/electric/diesel BS-VI trucks will be allowed to enter Delhi.