As the air quality in Delhi continued to deteriorate on Saturday and approached the “severe” category, the government announced that it is introducing Phase 3 restrictions of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP).
A thick blanket of smog engulfed the capital on Saturday morning with an air quality index (AQI) of 401 in the “severe” category.
In a press release announcing the implementation of the GRAP 3 measure, the Delhi government said the AQI in the capital was recorded as 349 at 4:00 pm on December 12 and showed a sharp upward trend during the early hours of Saturday.
Delhi’s AQI was recorded at 401 at 10:00 a.m. on 13 December “due to slow wind speed, stable atmosphere, adverse weather parameters and meteorological conditions and insufficient dispersion of pollutants”.
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Citing the prevailing trend in air quality, the Delhi administration said the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has taken a call to implement all measures as envisaged under Phase III of the existing GRAP – ‘severe’ air quality (DELHI AQI in the range of 401-450), with immediate effect across the NCR.
Stage 3 restrictions will be implemented “in addition” to the actions under Stages I and II of the existing GRAP already in place in the NCR.
The press release also noted that the NCR Pollution Control Boards and other relevant agencies have been asked to intensify precautionary measures to prevent further deterioration of air quality in the region.
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When do the different phases of GRAP mean?
GRAP Level 1 is implemented when air quality reaches the “poor” category. Restrictions include a ban on driving on unregistered construction sites, a ban on open fires and the sweeping and sprinkling of roads.
GRAP Stage 2 focuses on discouraging the use of private vehicles and improving cleaning. Parking fees were also increased to discourage the use of private transport.
In Phase 3 of the GRAP, restrictions will be further tightened by imposing a strict ban on all older four-wheelers in the Delhi-NCR region. Restrictions are also imposed on Delhi-registered diesel medium goods vehicles (MGVs) and non-Delhi-registered specific light commercial vehicles (LCVs), except for vehicles carrying essential goods. In that case, people are also advised to work from home if possible.
Then the last one is GRAP Stage 4, which is the “severe plus” category, in which the entry of trucks into Delhi is completely stopped (except for essential commodities and clean fuel trucks).
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Additional restrictions under GRAP Phase 3
— Prohibition of transport of construction materials such as sand and cement, especially on unpaved roads.
— Complete ban on demolition and construction activities unless necessary, including earthworks, piling and excavation.
— Advising private companies to enable telecommuting or hybrid working to reduce vehicle emissions.
— Restrictions on interstate diesel buses entering or operating in Delhi.
— Ban on BS-3 petrol and diesel four-wheelers in Delhi and neighboring NCR districts.
— Cap control of stone crushers, mining and hot mix that do not run on clean fuel.
— Prohibition of diesel gensets except for emergency and essential services.
