New Delhi: As Delhi grapples with severe air pollution, dense fog, and worsening breathing difficulties, the Delhi government has announced the implementation of GRAP Stage III, which began today. On Thursday, Delhi recorded a 'severe' air quality rating, with pollution levels soaring beyond the 400 mark, further worsening visibility. The government's decision to implement GRAP Stage III comes after the Air Quality Index (AQI) in several parts of the city reached dangerously high levels. But what exactly is GRAP Stage III?GRAP for the National Capital Region (NCR) is classified under four different stages of adverse air quality in Delhi: Stage I -- 'poor' (AQI 201-300); Stage II -- 'very poor' (AQI 301-400); Stage III -- 'severe' (AQI 401-450); and Stage IV -- 'severe plus' (AQI >450).
What’s Banned Under GRAP Stage III:
- Construction and demolition activities are completely banned.
- Stone crusher operations are halted.
- Mining and associated activities in NCR are prohibited.
- The operation of BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel light motor vehicles (LMVs, including cars) is banned in Delhi, as well as in Gurugram, Faridabad, Ghaziabad, and Gautam Buddh Nagar.
- NCR state governments and Delhi may consider discontinuing physical classes for children up to Class V and moving to online classes.
What’s Allowed Under GRAP Stage III:Some construction activities are allowed under specific categories:
- Railway services and related projects.
- Metro rail services and stations.
- Airports and interstate bus terminals.
- Projects related to national security, defence, and national importance.
- Hospitals and healthcare facilities.
- Linear public projects, such as highways, roads, flyovers, and power transmission/distribution lines.
- Sanitation projects, like sewage treatment plants and water supply works.
- Non-polluting construction activities such as plumbing, electrical works, and carpentry are allowed, except for tasks like painting, polishing, and varnishing.
The air quality situation in Delhi-NCR remained in the 'severe' category for a second consecutive day on Thursday, compounded by a dip in temperature, with the New Delhi-Ridge area recording a low of 11.2°C. While Delhi’s Environment Minister Gopal Rai initially stated that Stage III would not be enforced, the decision was later reversed due to the worsening air quality.
