New Delhi: With the deterioration of air quality in the national capital on Wednesday, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has decided to reimpose Stage 3 of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) starting from Thursday. Delhi residents have been experiencing the poor air quality since September. Despite all measurements and tall claims by the Delhi government and Centre, the situation has not improved. The AQI recorded more than 350 in most parts this morning.
The AQI of Delhi never stands at the ‘moderate’ category for a long time. Therefore, residents of the city are suffering from pollution-related diseases, especially senior citizens and children. Respiratory and lung infections are increasing fast. Long queues could be seen in hospitals.
With the imposition of Stage 3, the construction and demolition work will be stopped. Non-essential mining activities will be postponed, and non-electric, non-CNG, and non-BS-VI diesel interstate buses will ply in limitation. Schools are advised to close till Class 5 in Delhi-NCR.
Plying of BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel four-wheelers will be banned from Thursday. Besides this, commercial vehicles will not be allowed to enter in Delhi. According to an official notice, actions under Stages I, II, and III will be implemented, reviewed, and monitored to ensure that the air quality doesn’t deteriorate.
It is expected that rain may occur in Delhi and its adjoining areas at the start of February as two western disturbances are likely to come successively. Delhi’s air quality may improve if rain appears.
