In view of a spike in air pollutants, the Centre’s air fine panel on Friday directed implementation of curbs below level III of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) in Delhi-NCR, inclusive of a ban on non-critical creation and demolition work. Delhi’s 24-hour common air fine index (AQI) stood at 399 on Friday.
An AQI among 201 and three hundred is considered ‘poor’, 301 and 400 ‘very poor’, and 401 and 500 ‘extreme’. The sub-committee on GRAP, at a assessment meeting, cited that the AQI is possibly to slide into the extreme class because of calm winds and strong atmospheric conditions.
It directed government in Delhi-NCR to invoke curbs below level III of the anti-pollutants plan with on the spot effect. GRAP is a hard and fast of anti-air pollutants measures accompanied withinside the capital and its region in keeping with the severity of the situation.It classifies the air fine in Delhi-NCR below 4 one-of-a-kind stages: Stage I – ‘Poor’ (AQI 201-three hundred); Stage II – ‘Very Poor’ (AQI 301-400); Stage III – ‘Severe’ (AQI 401-450); and Stage IV – ‘Severe Plus’ (AQI >450).
If the AQI is projected to attain the extreme class, restrictive movements below Stage III are to be invoked at the least 3 days in advance. These consist of a ban on non-critical creation and demolition, closure of stone crushers and mining sports withinside the region. Non-polluting sports inclusive of plumbing, carpentry, indoors ornament and electric works are allowed.
The subsequent level — “Severe Plus” class or Stage IV — consists of steps like a ban at the access of vans into Delhi, permitting 50 according to cent of workforce to earn a living from home in public, municipal and personal offices,closure of instructional establishments and the plying of cars on an odd-even basis, etc.
