Delhi Pollution: What Is GRAP 3 Imposed In Delhi From Friday?

As the National Capital streets start to fill up with smog, Delhi's average Air Quality Index (AQI) has been compromised at an alarming rate of 402. This rating comes under the 'severe' category.

According to a government notification, due to unfavourable meteorological conditions, sudden rise in farm fire incidents and North-Westerly winds there has been a sudden spike in Delhi's AQI.

According to the AQI Bulletin provided by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), Delhi's average AQI clocked at 392, slowly deteriorating further around 5 pm to 402.

To take stock of the deteriorating air quality in the national capital, the Sub-Committee for the operationalization of the Graded Response Action Plan met today. After reviewing several factors, GRAP 3 was implemented in the city with immediate effect. This is in addition to the restrictive actions mentioned under Stage 1 and 2 of GRAP.

Various agencies responsible for implementing measures under GRAP and Pollution Control Boards (PCBs) of NCR and DPCC have also been advised to ensure strict implementation of actions under Stage 3 of GRAP along with the restrictions of Stage 1 and 2.

What Are These Restrictions?

There are certain restrictions that need to be implemented under GRAP 3 by different agencies and Pollution Control Boards of NCR and DPCC. These include:

* Further intensification of mechanised or vacuum-based sweeping of roads
* Ensuring daily sprinkling of water with dust suppressants, before peak-traffic hours, on roads and  right of ways including hotspots, heavy traffic corridors and ensure proper disposal of the collected dust in designated sites/ landfills.
* Further intensification of public transport services along with introduction of differential rates to encourage off-peak travel.
* With respect to construction activities there is a strict ban on any construction in the NCR barring public sector construction and railways, metro rail services, bus terminals, national security, hospitals and health care facilities, etc.
* Similar norms have been extended and applied to construction sites with respect to waste management activities wherein other than the causes listed above there is a strict ban on waste management activities as well. This includes activities such as boring and drilling works, structural construction including fabrication and welding, demolition works, laying of sewer line, road construction and repair, etc.
* However, all non-polluting and non-dust generating construction projects such as plumbing, furnishing, finishing, electrical works or decoration works (excluding painting, polishing and varnishing) shall be permitted and continued.
* Operations of stone crushers is to be shut.
* All mining and associated activities are to be shut in NCR.
* Strict restrictions will also be imposed on BS 3 petrol and BS 4 diesel LMVs (4 wheelers) in Delhi and in the districts of Gurugram, Faridabad, Ghaziabad and Gautam Budh Nagar.
* State governments in NCR and GNCTD are yet to take a decision on discontinuing physical classes in schools for children up to  Class 5 and conducting online classes.

CAQM also advised citizens to cooperate and follow steps mentioned in the Citizen Charter under GRAP. these include walking for small distances, choosing clean commute, working from home, not using coal, among others.