GRAP III BIG UPDATE: Work-From-Home, Vehicle Ban, Construction Halt, pollution curbs tightened in Delhi as AQI breaches 400-mark

GRAP III BIG UPDATE: The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) on Tuesday implemented the third phase of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP). The decision was taken as the national capital’s overall AQI increased to an alarming 425. As per the data shared by the pollution control board, the AQI in Anand Vihar stood at 412; in Alipur, it was 442. Bawana reported the highest AQI level of 462. In Chandni Chowk, the AQI was around 416, while RK Puram and Patparganj recorded 446 and 438, respectively.

What’s Not Allowed Under GRAP 3

• Under GRAP-III, a complete ban has been imposed on non-essential construction and demolition activities. These activities include – earthwork, piling, trenching, and open-air Ready-Mix Concrete (RMC) plants.
• Restrictions on BS-3 petrol and BS-4 diesel four-wheelers in Delhi-NCR.
• Complete ban on the transport of construction materials.
• Restrictions on stone crushers, mining, and hot-mix plants that are not running on clean fuel.
• A ban on diesel generators, however, use for emergency and essential services is exempted.
• Restriction on inter-state diesel buses in Delhi.
• Private companies are requested to implement work-from-home or hybrid modes.
• Closure of schools up to Class 5, online classes to protect children from exposure to toxic air.

What’s Allowed Under GRAP-III

Essential government projects like railways, metro construction, airports, defence, sanitation and healthcare facilities are exempted from Grap-III restrictions but these projects have to adhere to strict dust and waste management norms.

What Experts Are Saying?

As per a Gurugram pulmonologist, if people want to clean their lung they can consume jaggery with warm water. Several doctors previously advised small children and individuals with respiratory issues to leave the city for some days.

As pollution levels continue to increase, DIY remedies are getting viral on the internet. However, air purifiers are winning the race and remains the non-negotiable frontrunner.

An Air Quality Index (AQI) ranging from 51 to 100 is considered ‘satisfactory’, while an AQI of 101 to 200 is deemed ‘moderate’. An AQI between 201 and 300 is labelled ‘poor’