The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has imposed Stage 3 restrictions under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) across Delhi-NCR after Delhi’s average Air Quality Index (AQI) reached 382 and several monitoring stations recorded air quality in the severe category.
The restrictions came into force with immediate effect on Friday, November 6, as a dense layer of smog covered the national capital ahead of Diwali. GRAP-III was introduced as a precautionary measure because pollution levels were approaching the severe band, according to the report. GRAP-II had been imposed earlier on Monday, November 2.
Under the Stage 3 curbs, non-essential construction and demolition work will be stopped across Delhi-NCR. The restrictions cover activities including excavation, piling, trenching and the open operation of ready-mix concrete plants. The transport of construction materials such as sand and cement will also be restricted.
Vehicle movement will be affected as well. BS-III petrol cars and BS-IV diesel cars will not be allowed to operate on roads in Delhi-NCR districts. Inter-state diesel buses will also be barred from entering or operating in the national capital. The use of generator sets will be prohibited except for emergency and essential services.
The construction restrictions have direct implications for project sites, contractors, material suppliers and workers across the region. The measures also place additional pressure on authorities to enforce restrictions across a metropolitan area where construction activity, freight movement and commuting routinely cross municipal and state boundaries.
Private companies have been advised to adopt work-from-home or hybrid working arrangements to reduce pollution from vehicle use, according to the report. Schools up to Class 5 have been directed to remain closed and conduct classes online to reduce young children’s exposure to polluted air.
The deterioration was recorded across multiple parts of Delhi. Of the capital’s 59 monitoring stations, 30 recorded severe air quality at 9am, while the remaining stations reported air in the very poor category. Rohini recorded the highest AQI at 475, followed by the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi station at 472.
The Central Pollution Control Board classifies AQI readings from zero to 50 as good, 51 to 100 as satisfactory, 101 to 200 as moderate, 201 to 300 as poor, 301 to 400 as very poor and 401 to 500 as severe. Delhi’s average reading of 382 was therefore within the very poor category, although multiple localised readings had already entered the severe range.
The CAQM’s Stage 3 action adds stricter controls to measures already introduced under GRAP-II. The restrictions will remain linked to air-quality conditions and the commission’s directions as the region moves through the high-pollution period around Diwali.
