Delhi AQI hits 'severe' again: Anti-pollution curbs under GRAP-3 reimposed

These actions supplement the curbs already in place under Stages 1 and 2

The Delhi government on Saturday reinstated stage 3 restrictions under the graded action response plan (GRAP) across the national capital region (NCR) following a sharp increase in the air quality index (AQI).

The national capital was blanketed by thick smog on Saturday, with the AQI recorded at 397 at around 7 am, dangerously close to the ‘severe’ category. By 12 pm, it crossed that mark, with the AQI recorded at 409, according to Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).

A similar situation was observed in the nearby areas including Noida, Greater Noida, Ghaziabad and Gurugram.

An AQI between 0 and 50 is considered 'good', 51 to 100 'satisfactory', 101 to 200 'moderate', 201 to 300 'poor', 301 to 400 'very poor' and 401 to 500 'severe'.

Following the spike in pollution levels, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) said its GRAP sub-committee has ordered the implementation of all Stage 3 measures (‘Severe’ AQI: 401–450) across the NCR with immediate effect.

These actions supplement the curbs already in place under Stages 1 and 2, and enforcement agencies have been asked to strengthen preventive action to avert further decline in air quality.

-Non-essential construction and demolition: earthwork, piling, open trenching, welding, painting, plastering, tile/flooring work, RMC plants.

-Transportation of construction materials like cement, sand, and fly-ash on unpaved roads.

-Stone crushers, brick kilns, and mining activities.

-BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel four-wheelers; non-essential diesel-powered medium goods vehicles; inter-state diesel buses not running on CNG, electricity, or BS-VI standards.

-Industries using unapproved fuels.

The Air Quality Early Warning System has forecast that Delhi's air quality is likely to remain in the 'very poor' category on Saturday and may deteriorate further, with conditions expected to slip into the 'severe' category on Sunday.

On Friday, Delhi chief minister Rekha Gupta said that her government is working on multiple fronts to effectively and sustainably control pollution in the capital. She stated that eliminating dust pollution is among the government's top priorities. To achieve this goal, wall-to-wall roads are being constructed across Delhi at an 'accelerated' pace.