Delhi-NCR under GRAP Stage III: Construction halted, primary schools switch to online just before Diwali
Delhi air pollution: With air quality sliding further just ahead of Diwali, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) on Friday brought Delhi-NCR under Stage III of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), effective immediately.
Delhi’s average Air Quality Index (AQI) stood at 382 on November 6, which is at the upper end of the “very poor” category. The commission said the step was taken as a precaution to stop the air from getting worse across the capital and neighbouring NCR towns.
What is now restricted
Under Stage III, all construction and demolition work has been suspended across the region. Certain older and more polluting vehicles will also face movement restrictions.
Trucks carrying construction material such as sand and cement are barred from using unpaved roads. Stone crushers, mining operations and hot-mix plants that do not run on clean fuel have been told to shut down. Diesel generator sets cannot be used, except for emergency and essential services.
Relief steps for residents
To cut down traffic on the roads, private companies have been advised to let employees work from home or follow a hybrid model. Schools up to Class 5 have been asked to switch to online classes so that young children are not exposed to polluted air.
How AQI is classified
As per GRAP categories, an AQI of 201 to 300 is “poor”, 301 to 400 is “very poor”, 401 to 450 is “severe”, and anything above 450 is “severe plus”.
Diwali adds to the worry
The restrictions come at a sensitive time. Diwali is less than two days away, and smoke from firecrackers, along with existing sources of pollution, could push the air quality down even further.
Diwali gifts are adding to Delhi’s pollution, says CJI Surya Kant, calls for 'cultural change'
The Supreme Court on Friday said the habit of exchanging Diwali gifts is adding to vehicular pollution in Delhi, as the capital kept gasping under toxic air. Chief Justice of India Surya Kant said a “cultural shift” is needed to deal with the yearly pollution crisis.
According to the CJI, wealthy people have turned gift-giving during Diwali into a status symbol. He said people need to think about what their original culture really stands for and act accordingly.
The remarks came on a day when Delhi’s air quality was just short of the “severe” category. The Central Pollution Control Board put the city’s average AQI at 389, though several areas crossed the 400 mark.
Markets across Delhi have been packed in recent days as people shop ahead of Diwali on November 8. In north India especially, giving gifts during the festival is a long-standing tradition and that is the practice the CJI pointed to. READ FULL NEWS
- PTC NEWS
