Pollution: GRAP 3 curbs to come into force in Delhi-NCR from Friday

As pollution levels surge to critical heights, the central pollution control authority has enforced Stage 3 restrictions of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) in Delhi-NCR, effective Thursday. These measures include a prohibition on construction and demolition activities.

Air quality in the capital remained in the “severe” category for the second day in a row, leading authorities to implement strict anti-pollution controls that will start on Friday.

The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) announced the decision.

Under Stage 3 of GRAP, all inter-state buses from NCR states — excluding electric vehicles, CNG vehicles, and BS-VI diesel buses — will be barred from entering Delhi. Additional actions include a stringent ban on construction and demolition, halting mining-related activities, exploring the option of moving classes online for students up to Class 5, and daily water sprinkling on major roads.

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Stage 3 of GRAP also limits the operation of BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel vehicles in Delhi and in the districts of Gurugram, Faridabad, Ghaziabad, and Gautam Budh Nagar.

The GRAP for Delhi-NCR categorises air quality into four levels: Stage 1 for a “poor” Air Quality Index (AQI) of 201-300, Stage 2 for “very poor” AQI of 301-400, Stage 3 for “severe” AQI of 401-450, and Stage 4 for “severe plus,” with AQI over 450.

(With inputs from PTI)