Construction, demolition ban in Delhi as AQI turns ‘severe’

Other measures possible if situation worsens further

With air pollution in the national capital moving into the “severe” category on Sunday, the Centre’s air quality panel directed the authorities in DelhiNCR region to ban all nonessential construction work in the region under Stage III of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP). All demolition activities have been similarly prohibited.

Delhi’s 24-hour average air quality index (AQI) stood at 407 at 4 pm. The sub-committee for the implementation of GRAP held a meeting on Sunday to review the air quality scenario in the region as well as the forecasts for meteorological conditions and the air quality index of Delhi.

It observed the air quality witnessed further deterioration over the last 24 hours. In an effort to prevent more deterioration, the sub-committee decided that all actions as envisaged under Stage III of GRAP should be implemented with immediate effect across the National Capital Region, in addition to all actions under Stages I and II, it said in an order.

However, the construction and demolition activities which relate to rail services or rail operations, metro projects, airport or ISBT projects, and those relating to national security or defence which are considered essential, have been exempted. Also, construction activity for

DELHI’S 24-HOUR average air quality index (AQI) stood at 407 at 4 pm. The sub-committee for the implementation of GRAP held a meeting on Sunday to review the air quality scenario in the region as well as the forecasts for meteorological conditions and the air quality index of Delhi

■ Continued from Page 1 hospitals and healthcare facilities, sanitation projects, highways, roads, flyovers, overbridges, power transmission lines and pipeline laying, will also be allowed.

Under stage-3 of GRAP, state governments may also put restrictions on BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel four-wheelers. Mining and similar activities in NCR will stop, and industrial units in areas that do not have PNG supply will be allowed to operate for only five days a week.

The pollution level in Delhi entered the “severe” category after November 4, when the

UNDER STAGE-3 of GRAP, state governments may also put restrictions on BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel four-wheelers

AQI was 447. An AQI between 201 and 300 is considered “poor”, between 301 and 400 “very poor”, and between 401 and 500 “severe”. The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) had directed the authorities on November 14 to revoke the curbs enforced in the DelhiNCR region under stage III of GRAP, including a ban on non-essential construction activities.