GRAP-3 restrictions imposed across Delhi-NCR as air quality deteriorates

Authorities on Friday invoked Stage III of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) across Delhi-NCR as air pollution levels continued to worsen, prompting stricter restrictions on construction activities, vehicles, schools and offices.

Delhi's Air Quality Index (AQI) stood at 382 in the 'very poor' category, nearing the 400-mark that signals 'severe' air quality. The overall AQI subsequently crossed 400 on Friday, according to the Hindustan Times report.

Under GRAP-3, several dust-generating construction and demolition activities have been prohibited across the National Capital Region, including excavation, drilling, piling, demolition, masonry, road construction and major repairs. Activities such as painting, polishing, welding and gas-cutting have also been restricted.

The restrictions also prohibit the loading and unloading of construction materials such as cement, sand, bricks and crushed stone. Vehicles transporting construction material or demolition waste on unpaved roads will also not be allowed.

However, exemptions have been provided for essential infrastructure projects related to railways, metro services, airports, hospitals, national security, highways, flyovers, water supply and sewage treatment plants.

GRAP-3 also introduces restrictions on older vehicles. BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel or older light motor vehicles, including four-wheelers, will not be permitted to ply in Delhi and high-vehicle-density districts of Gurugram, Faridabad, Sonipat, Ghaziabad and Gautam Buddha Nagar. Vehicles modified for persons with disabilities and used for their personal travel are exempted.

In Delhi, restrictions will also apply to BS-IV and older diesel medium goods vehicles registered in the city. Such vehicles, along with older diesel light goods vehicles registered outside Delhi, will not be allowed to enter the national capital.

Meanwhile, schools up to Class 5 in Delhi, Gurugram, Faridabad, Ghaziabad and Gautam Buddha Nagar will shift to a hybrid mode, allowing students to attend classes either physically or online, wherever feasible.

The Delhi government and state governments in the NCR will also decide whether government and private offices should function with 50 per cent of their staff attending physically, while the remaining employees work from home. The Centre may separately take a decision on work-from-home arrangements for its employees.