Delhi-NCR air pollution | Centre bans non-essential construction work, plying of polluting four-wheelers
The Hindu
New Delhi bans non-essential construction and certain vehicles due to severe air pollution, implementing GRAP Stage-III curbs.
The Central Government on January 14 ordered a ban on non-essential construction work and plying of BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel four-wheelers in Delhi-NCR amid worsening air quality in the region.
The Commission for Air Quality Management, a statutory body responsible for forming air pollution reduction strategies for the region and their implementation, noted a significant rise in Delhi’s AQI (458 and 457 at 10 a.m. and 11 a.m.) due to unfavourable climatic conditions and local pollution sources.
Also read: Majority of cities far from clean air target, says study
Anticipating a prolonged period of severe air quality, the committee decided to implement GRAP Stage-III curbs (‘severe’ air quality index (AQI) range) immediately to prevent further deterioration.
The curbs include a ban on non-essential construction work and the plying of BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel four-wheelers in the region.
Also read: Restart Delhi smog tower in 24 hours, says Rai
Construction work related to national security or defence, projects of national importance, healthcare, railways, metro rail, airports, inter-state bus terminals, highways, roads, flyovers, overbridges, power transmission, pipelines, sanitation and water supply are exempted from the ban.
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