New Delhi: In response to a sharp decline in air quality, the Centre has swiftly mandated the implementation of Stage-III anti-pollution measures under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) across the Delhi-National Capital Region (NCR).
The Central Pollution Control Board's (CPCB) Sub-Committee on Clean Air and Sustainable Mobility has emphasised the urgent need for an 8-point action plan aligned with Stage-III of GRAP to curb the worsening air quality.
The restrictions enforced under GRAP Stage-III entail a halt to operations in stone crushers and all mining-related activities in the NCR. Simultaneously, a stringent ban on construction and demolition activities has been instituted throughout the region, with specific exemptions granted for certain project categories.
Both the State governments in the NCR and the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (GNCTD) have received directives to impose rigorous restrictions on the usage of BS III petrol and BS IV diesel Light Motor Vehicles (LMVs) with four wheels. This directive will be enforced in Delhi and the districts of Gurugram, Faridabad, Ghaziabad, and Gautam Budh Nagar. The primary goal is to mitigate vehicular emissions, a substantial contributor to air pollution.
The Air Quality Index (AQI) in Delhi plunged into the 'severe' category, as reported by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), exacerbated by prevailing cold weather conditions. The enforcement of Stage-III measures comes as a crucial step to counteract the escalating pollution levels and safeguard public health in the region.