The Commission for Air Quality Management in National Capital Region and Adjoining Areas (CAQM) on November 14, 2024, issued an order regarding the implementation of Actions under stage-Ill ('Severe' Air Quality) of the revised Graded Response Action Plan in Delhi-NCR.
The Sub-Committee observed that the AQI of Delhi since the morning of November 13, 2024, is hovering in the "SEVERE" category due to heavy fog and unfavourable meteorological conditions in the entire Indo-Gangetic Plain. Forecasts from IMD/IITM also indicate a likelihood of the AQI of Delhi to remain in the higher end of the "VERY POOR" category in the coming days. At around 4:00 P.M of November 14, 20 24, AQI of Delhi has been recorded as 424 (Severe Category).
Therefore, to prevent further deterioration of the air quality, the Sub-Committee decided that ALL actions as envisaged under Stage III of the GRAP -'Severe' Air Quality (DELHI AQI ranging between 401-450) be implemented in right earnest by all the agencies concerned in the NCR, in addition to the Stage-I and II actions already in force, from 8:00 A.M. of November 15, 2024 in the National Capital Region (NCR).
These include:
• Further, intensify the frequency of mechanised sweeping of roads.
• Ensure daily water sprinkling along with dust suppressants, before peak traffic hours, on roads and right of ways including hotspots, and heavy traffic corridors and ensure proper disposal of the collected dust in designated sites/landfills.
• Further, intensify public transport services. Introduce differential rates to encourage off-peak travel.
• Enforce strict ban on the following categories of dust generating/ air pollution causing C&D activities in the entire NCR:
o Piling works.
o Earthwork for excavation and filling including boring & drilling works.
o All demolition works.
o Laying of sewer line, water line, drainage and electric cabling etc. by open trench system.
o Brick/masonry works.
o Operation of RMC batching plant.
o Major welding and gas-cutting operations. Minor welding activities for MEP (Mechanical, Electrical and Plumbing) works to be, however, permitted. Painting, polishing and varnishing works etc.
o Cement, Plaster/other coatings, except for minor indoor repairs/maintenance. Cutting/grinding and fixing of tiles, stones and other flooring materials, except for minor indoor repairs/maintenance.
o Waterproofing work (Excluding Chemical waterproofing).
o Road construction activities and major repairs.
o Transfer, loading/unloading of dust generating materials like cement, fly-ash, bricks, sand, murram, pebbles, crushed stone etc. anywhere within/outside the project sites. Movement of vehicles carrying construction materials on unpaved roads.
o Any transportation of demolition waste.
• Close down operations of stone crushers in the entire NCR.
• Close down all mining and associated activities in the entire NCR.
• NCR State Govts. / GNCTD to impose strict restrictions on plying of BS III petrol and BS IV diesel LMVs (4 wheelers) in Delhi and in the districts of Gurugram, Faridabad, Ghaziabad and Gautam Budh Nagar.
• GNCTD to impose strict restrictions on plying of Delhi - registered Diesel operated Medium Goods Vehicles (MGVs), of BS-III standards or below, in Delhi, except those carrying essential commodities / providing essential services.
• GNCTD to not permit BS-III and below diesel operated LCVs (goods carriers) registered outside Delhi, to enter Delhi, except those carrying essential commodities / providing essential services.
• Do not permit Inter-State buses from NCR states other than EVs/CNG/BS-VI diesel, to enter Delhi (excluding buses /Tempo travellers operated with All India Tourist Permit).
• State Govts. in the NCR and the GNCTD may take a decision on discontinuing physical classes in schools for children up to Class V and conducting classes in an online mode.
[Order No. 120017/27/GRAP/2021/CAQM 1092 DT]
