Delhi-NCR: GRAP-III Curbs Enforced As Air Quality Deteriorates To 'Severe' Category

Delhiites woke up to a 'severe' air quality on Sunday with an AQI of 456.

Air quality reached 'severe' category in Delhi on Sunday. ( Image Source :PTI )

All non-essential construction works in the Delhi-NCR were ordered to be stopped by the Centre's pollution control body in an order on Sunday in view of deteriorating air quality in the region. The order comes shortly after the air quality reached 'severe' category in the national capital with an Air Quality Index of 456. 

"CAQM Sub-Committee for operationalization of GRAP called on an emergency meeting today morning in view of sudden deterioration of air quality of Delhi-NCR from last evening," said the Commission for Air Quality Management in a post on X on Sunday. 

"The Sub-Committee decides to invoke 8 point action plan as per Stage-III of revised GRAP in the entire NCR with immediate effect," it said. 

The Sub-Committee decides to invoke 8 point action plan as per Stage-III of revised GRAP in the entire NCR with immediate effect.
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— Commission for Air Quality Management (@CAQM_Official) January 14, 2024

Speaking on the same, Delhi environment minister Gopal Rai said, "The pollutant particles are frozen due to the decreasing temperature. Two days ago, when there was wind and sunlight, the pollution had decreased. But yesterday the pollution seemed high, because of that CAQM (Commission for Air Quality Management) implemented the GRAP-3 rule."

Under stage three of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), all the building and demolition activities are brought to a total halt with the exception of critical government projects, mining, and stone crushing.

Light commercial vehicles registered outside Delhi are also prohobited to enter the national capital along with diesel-powered trucks, medium and heavy freight vehicles (excluding those participating in critical activities).

Amid a chilling and foggy morning, with visibility dropping to zero for the first time, the air quality also plummeted in the national capital with an AQI of 478 in the Anand Vihar area, 465 at the Jawahar Lal Nehru Stadium and IGI Airport (T3) areas, and 455 in the ITO Delhi region.   

High levels of air pollution coupled with cold conditions further reduced the visibility in the national capital affecting train and flight schedules. 22 trains to Delhi from various parts of the country were running late due to dense fog conditions while several flight operations were also delayed at Delhi airport. 

As many as nine flights were diverted at the Delhi airport on Sunday morning due to bad weather, including an international flight.