Delhi: Ban On Construction Activities Lifted As Air Quality Improves

All construction and demolition work, except for essential projects, was banned in Delhi-NCR under stage 3 of GRAP.

Labourers cut stone blocks during the construction work.

Source : AFP

With air pollution levels in Delhi coming down to the 'poor' category from 'very poor', the Commission for Air Quality Management has said Curbs under stage 3 of Graded Response Action Plan revoked in Delhi-NCR, as reported by news agency PTI.

Curbs under stage 3 of Graded Response Action Plan revoked in Delhi-NCR in view of improvement in air quality: CAQM

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) November 14, 2022

“The Sub-Committee for operationalization of the revised GRAP in its earlier meetings had invoked actions under Stage I, Stage II, Stage III and Stage IV of the GRAP vide orders dated October 5,2022, October 19,2022, October 29, 2022 and November 3, 2022 respectively. Further, Sub Committee in its review meeting held on 06.11.2022, revoked the actions under Stage-lV (‘Severe+’ Air Quality) of GRAP after considering the improvement in air quality of Delhi and AQI forecast of subsequent days," read the CAQM order.

On Monday, the Transport Department of the Delhi Government allowed people to drive their old cars on the roads of Delhi. After the improvement in Delhi's air quality and reduction in pollution, the Delhi government has lifted the ban on BS-3 petrol and BS-4 diesel vehicles on the roads. The government has issued an official order in this regard.

The Delhi government's Transport department reviewed the situation on Monday and decided that the curbs will not be extended, sources said. "Considering the recent improvement in the air quality in NCT of Delhi, the restrictions imposed for plying of BS III petrol and BS IV diesel LMVs (four wheelers) in the jurisdiction of NCT of Delhi are hereby revoked with immediate effect till further orders.

"The department will closely monitor the AQI level in the NCT of Delhi and directions will be reviewed accordingly," read the official order issued by the department on Monday. During a review meeting last week, the transport department had decided that the curbs under Stage 3 of GRAP should remain in place for the next few days instead of a knee-jerk reaction.