Delhi AQI severe, curbs back on cars and construction
- The air quality in Delhi turned ‘severe’.
- This has led to a ban on construction and on the running of BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel four-wheelers.
- The fine for violating the restriction on running BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel four-wheelers is Rs 20,000.
Environmental Ambience in Delhi
- Delhi’s average AQI on January 14, 2024 was 447.
- The India Meteorological Department held low wind speed and high moisture levels, responsible for accumulation of pollutants.
- The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) held local pollution sources, including large-scale open burning, responsible for it.
- Earlier the Commission has brought in the restrictions under phase III of the Graded Response Action Plan to curb such pollutants.
- The ban will cover construction and demolition activities.
Exceptions to the Ban
- Exceptions have been granted for following projects :
- Railways,
- Metro rail,
- Airports, “projects of national importance”,
- Hospitals, water supply and sanitation
- Linear public projects (including roads, flyovers, bridges, highways and pipelines).
Recent Development on Environment Pollution in Delhi
- Delhi’s average air quality in November and December has been poorer than in previous years.
- With the AQI touching the severe (400) or ‘severe +’ category (450+) several times in these two months
- The CAQM had imposed GRAP restrictions multiple times.
- These were revoked on January 1, 2024.
GRAP-Graded Response Action Plan
- GRAP is a set of emergency measures implemented to prevent the deterioration of air quality in Delhi-NCR.
- Stage 1 of GRAP is activated when the AQI is in the ‘poor’ category (201 to 300).
- Stage 2 of GRAP is activated when the AQI is in the ‘very poor’ category (301 to 400).
- Stage 3 of GRAP is activated when the AQI is in the ‘severe’ category (401 to 450).
- Stage 4 of GRAP is activated when the AQI is in the ‘very severe’ category (above 450).
Prelims Takeaway
- GRAP
- AQI