Delhi-NCR has enforced GRAP-3 measures due to a rise in pollution levels. This decision follows a significant increase in the Air Quality Index (AQI), which entered ‘very poor’ category on Monday. Due to this, several strict actions have been taken to control pollution levels. These include total ban on non-essential construction and demolition activities.
The rise in pollution coincides with a cold wave. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) recorded a minimum temperature of 4.5°C on Monday morning. Moreover some areas a sharper temperatures drop, such as Pusa at 3.5°C and Ayanagar at 4.1°C. The combination of low temperatures and high pollution worsened drastically with the air quality.
Read More: Delhi’s Air Quality Index Remains In ‘Poor’ Category As Minimum Temperature Drops To 10.5°C
GRAP-3 measures to impose key restrictions. The strict restrictions are imposed on Petrol vehicles that do not meet BS-III emission norms. This also includes diesel vehicles as well that fails to meet BS-IV standards. All these vehicles are banned from entering Delhi and parts of NCR, including Gurugram, Ghaziabad, Faridabad, and Gautam Budh Nagar. These actions aim to reduce pollution from vehicles, which is a major contributor for the high pollution levels and cold waves.
Additionally, all non-essential construction work is suspended as well. Though there are several with exceptions which includes critical projects like national security, healthcare, and public infrastructure. For this reason authorities have also increased efforts to manage dust by using mechanised road-sweeping and water-sprinkling machines throughout the city.
Diesel generators will only be allowed for emergencies during this phase. These diesel generators are another significant source of pollution. The goal is to reduce the release of harmful particulate matter and other pollutants. The dust pollutants can have serious health effects, especially on children, the elderly, and those with respiratory conditions. Due to these high pollutants many people are suffering from respiratory diseases as well.
On Monday at 9 am, Delhi’s AQI was 351, which falls in the ‘very poor’ category. According to the Central Pollution Control Board, an AQI between 0-50 is ‘good’, 51-100 is ‘satisfactory’, 101-200 is ‘moderate’, 201-300 is ‘poor’, 301-400 is ‘very poor’, and 401-500 is ‘severe’.
While the weather is expected to improve slightly, with the maximum temperature rising to 23°C, the cold wave will continue. This makes it difficult for pollutants to disperse, leading to a further deterioration in air quality.
