Construction activities banned in Delhi-NCR, AQI to deteriorate to “severe” category from 31st October

New Delhi: Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) Saturday imposed the restriction on the construction and demolition activities in the Delhi-NCR Region in view of deteriorating air quality.

The overall air quality over Delhi is likely to remain in very poor to severe category between 29 October and 30 October, and is likely to deteriorate to severe category ( ranging between 401-450) from 31 October to 1 November, the environment ministry said in a release.

In view of deteriorating air quality, the Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR & Adjoining Areas (CAQM) held an emergency meeting today and decided to implement Stage III Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) in the entire NCR.

The commission while comprehensively reviewing the overall air quality parameters during the meeting noted that due to unfavorable meteorological conditions with slower wind speed and sudden spike in the farm fire incidents, it is considered necessary to implement Stage III of GRAP with immediate effect in the entire NCR.

The winds are likely to be calm in the coming days and the wind direction is likely to change course frequently. Thus, there is a high likelihood of the pollutants getting trapped in the region and not getting dispersed effectively.

This is in addition to the restrictive actions mentioned in Stage I and Stage II of GRAP. Various agencies responsible for implementing measures under GRAP and Pollution Control Boards (PCBs) of NCR and DPCC have also been advised to ensure strict implementation of actions of Stage III under GRAP during this period.

Railway services / Railway stations Metro Rail Services including stations. Airports and Inter State Bus Terminals.
National security/ defence and Hospitals/ health care facilities related activities are being exempted.

Meanwhile, Milk and Dairy units and those involved in manufacturing of life saving medical equipment/devices, drugs and medicines have also been exempted from these restrictions.

Various agencies responsible for implementing measures under GRAP and Pollution Control Boards (PCBs) of NCR and DPCC have also been advised to ensure strict implementation of actions of Stage III under GRAP during this period.