As the air quality in Delhi-NCR worsened, the Sub-Committee on the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) invoked Stage-III measures under the revised GRAP schedule. The restrictions, effective immediately, are in addition to the Stage-I and Stage-II actions already in place. This decision comes after Stage-III restrictions were previously revoked on December 27, 2024.
Current Air Quality Levels
The Air Quality Index (AQI) in Delhi reached 299 at 7:00 AM, categorized as “poor,” according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).
AQI Scale:
0-50: Good
51-100: Satisfactory
101-200: Moderate
201-300: Poor
301-400: Very Poor
401-500: Severe
GRAP Stage-III Restrictions: What’s Banned?
Key restrictions under GRAP Stage-III include:
Suspension of non-essential construction and demolition activities.
Closure of brick kilns and industries using non-cleaner fuels.
Prohibition of diesel generator sets for non-essential use.
Ban on BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel cars.
Restrictions on non-essential diesel-operated medium goods vehicles.
Enforcement of stricter vehicular emissions checks.
Increased mechanical road sweeping and water sprinkling to reduce dust.
Prohibition of open burning of waste or biomass.
GRAP Stage-III: Activities Permitted
Some essential construction and demolition activities are exempted, including:
Projects related to railways, metro services, airports, and bus terminals.
National security and defense-related projects.
Hospitals and healthcare infrastructure.
Linear public infrastructure like highways, flyovers, and pipelines.
Sanitation and water supply projects.
Ancillary non-polluting construction tasks such as plumbing, electrical work, and interior finishing (excluding painting or polishing).
Weather Update
Delhi experienced a significant drop in temperature, with a minimum of 6.4°C recorded at 5:30 AM on Thursday. The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasts a minimum temperature of 5°C and a maximum of 21°C for the day, with cold wave conditions persisting.
Outlook
The reimposition of GRAP Stage-III underscores the ongoing struggle to combat air pollution in Delhi-NCR. Despite measures, the city continues to grapple with hazardous air quality levels, raising questions about sustainable long-term solutions.
