In Short : Anti-pollution curbs under GRAP-III have been reimposed as Delhi’s air quality worsens. The measures aim to mitigate the escalating pollution levels and include restrictions on construction activities, industrial operations, and vehicular emissions. These steps are part of a broader effort to improve air quality and protect residents from the adverse health effects of air pollution.
In Detail : As Delhi’s air quality continues to worsen, the Centre for Air Quality Management invoked anti-pollution norms under Stage 3 of the Graded Response Action Plan on Thursday.
Delhi’s air quality index (AQI) worsened to “very poor” category and was recorded at 357 at 4 pm on Thursday, up from 297 on Wednesday, due to “calm winds and foggy conditions”, news agency PTI reported.
Under the GRAP-3 measures, the use of BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel cars is restricted in Delhi-NCR region. Non-essential diesel-operated goods vehicles with BS-IV or older standards are also banned in Delhi.
Classes up to Class 5 will be held in online mode, and students will have the option to choose an online mode of education wherever applicable.
The anti-pollution measures also include a ban on non-essential construction and demolition activities, the operation of industries and brick kilns using non-clean fuels, and non-essential diesel generator sets.
Notably, the air quality panel had revoked GRAP-3 measures on Sunday (January 6), following a decline in pollution levels in the Delhi-NCR region.
