GRAP III in place: How Delhi struggles to control worsening air pollution

Delhi continues to grapple with worsening air quality as authorities struggle to control damage by imposing restrictions under the third stage of GRAP, which will come into force on Friday at 8 am.

Under the third stage of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), all inter-state buses from NCR states -- except electric vehicles, CNG vehicles and BS-VI diesel buses -- will be prohibited from entering Delhi.  There is also a ban on construction and demolition activities and mining-related activities. Any violation will attract a fine of Rs 20,000.

The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) said there is a strict ban on BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel (four-wheelers) in the national capital and neighbouring Gurugram, Faridabad, Ghaziabad and Gautam Budh Nagar.

Though less-polluting construction activities are permitted, those will be subjected to strict compliance with the C&D Waste Management Rules.  

"GNCTD (Delhi government) will impose strict restrictions on plying of Delhi-registered diesel operated Medium Goods Vehicles (MGVs), of BS-III standards or below, in Delhi, except those carrying essential commodities/providing essential services," the order stated. 

There will also be exemptions for construction works for railway and metro rail projects, airports and interstate bus terminals, national security or defence-related projects, healthcare facilities, hospitals, and public infrastructure projects like highway work.

The Delhi government has also decided to switch to online classes for students until class 5. The government will also have to undertake more mechanised sweeping of roads, daily water sprinkling along with dust suppressants and proper disposal of collected dust in landfills.

This comes as the city's 24-hour Air Quality Index (AQI), recorded at 4 pm every day, stood at 424 on Thursday, up from 418 the previous day. 

On Friday morning, the Air Quality Index (AQI) in the Anand Vihar area dips into the 'Severe' category. AQI in Anand Vihar is at 441

Meanwhile, the decision has come as a blow to truck drivers, who cited the ban will affect their livelihood.  "We are going to face a lot of problems related to livelihood if our vehicles won't be allowed to enter Delhi. How are we going to bear the extra expenses? Each of us has EMIs to pay for our vehicles," a truck driver told ANI.