Entry Of Diesel Vehicles Into Delhi Continues Despite Ban, Says Minister

GRAP Stage IV, which includes a prohibition on all construction activities and the entry of environmentally detrimental trucks into the city, came into effect in Delhi earlier this month.

Delhi Labour Minister Raaj Kumar Anand, during an inspection of the Singhu border on Tuesday, raised the alarm regarding the non-stop entry of diesel vehicles into the national capital. The vehicles, Anand alleged, are entering Delhi despite the ban under GRAP Stage-IV guidelines, reported news agency PTI.

This comes amid the deteriorating air quality in the national capital. The AQI was recorded at 397 at 4 PM according to the Central Pollution Control Board.

GRAP Stage IV, which includes a prohibition on all construction activities and the entry of environmentally detrimental trucks into the city, came into effect earlier this month after the air quality in the city plummeted to the 'Severe Plus' category (AQI above 450).

The Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) for Delhi-NCR, devised by the Centre, classifies actions into four stages: Stage I—Poor (AQI 201-300), Stage II—Very Poor (AQI 301-400), Stage III—Severe (AQI 401-450), and Stage IV—Severe Plus (AQI above 450).

In an effort to ensure stringent adherence to the regulations, Anand, along with a team of officials, conducted an inspection at the Singhu border late on Monday, as per an official statement.

"As per GRAP Stage-IV regulations, the entry of BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel vehicles into Delhi is prohibited. The inspection revealed continuous entry of diesel vehicles from Haryana into Delhi, which is a matter of concern. The drivers were informed that the entry of diesel vehicles into Delhi is restricted due to the deteriorating air quality," stated the release issued on Tuesday.

Anand emphasized that diesel vehicles entering Delhi from Haryana and Uttar Pradesh are worsening the city's pollution levels, the PTI stated.

The Narela subdivisional magistrate received instructions to disseminate information through hoardings, banners, camps, and handbills to enforce the restriction on the entry of prohibited vehicles. Large banners containing information on all directives and rules should be prominently displayed at the entry point from Haryana to ensure that drivers are informed in advance, allowing them to refrain from entering Delhi, the statement outlined.

"The (Arvind) Kejriwal government is actively working to consistently reduce pollution levels on the ground. Is the concern about this reflected in the ministers of Uttar Pradesh and Haryana? We are diligently doing our work and continuously making every possible effort to provide relief from pollution to the people of Delhi," Anand was quoted as saying by PTI.