GRAP-3 restrictions enforced in Alwar and Bharatpur as NCR air quality worsens

Jaipur: The Central government has extended Phase 3 of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP-3) to Rajasthan’s Alwar and Bharatpur districts following a sharp deterioration in air quality across the National Capital Region (NCR), including Delhi. The move brings these districts under the same stringent pollution-control measures already in place in Delhi and its adjoining areas.

Under GRAP-3, the use of BS-3 petrol and BS-4 diesel vehicles is now banned across Delhi-NCR, including Alwar and Bharatpur. Vehicles from Rajasthan heading towards Delhi will be stopped unless they are transporting essential goods. The restrictions are expected to disrupt transport routes through Bharatpur, Alwar, and Bhiwadi, with many vehicles stranded on highways.

The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) announced the decision after Delhi’s Air Quality Index (AQI) surged from 362 to 430, placing it in the ‘severe’ category. Although Alwar’s AQI currently stands at 120, the rules have been applied as a preventive measure. Bhiwadi, meanwhile, has recorded a hazardous AQI of 380.

In line with GRAP-3 guidelines, private BS-3 petrol and BS-4 diesel vehicles are prohibited, non-essential construction and demolition activities have been halted, and trucks carrying materials such as cement and sand are barred. Diesel buses operating within and outside Delhi remain banned, and schools up to Class 5 are closed with classes shifted online.

Stone crushers and mining operations have been suspended, and diesel generators are permitted only for emergency use. Offices have been advised to adopt work-from-home or hybrid models to reduce vehicular emissions.

The implementation of GRAP-3 coincides with a drop in temperatures across Rajasthan. Nine cities recorded minimum temperatures below 10°C in the past 24 hours, with Fatehpur registering the lowest at 6.9°C. Jaipur recorded a minimum of 13.6°C.

(Inputs from IANS)