The Center's committee on Delhi-NCR's air quality on thursday lifted the restrictions imposed under the fourth phase of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) amid a drop in pollution levels. These restrictions were imposed on wednesday as light winds, low temperatures and haze conditions caused pollutants to accumulate in the region and the air Quality Index reached 396 yesterday evening.
The fourth phase restrictions include a ban on all construction activities, prohibition of entry of non-essential polluting trucks into Delhi, as well as mandatory operation of school classes in 'hybrid mode' except for class 10th and 12th. After the removal of GRAP- in Delhi, GRAP-3 is now in force.
Which works are prohibited in GRAP-3?
After implementing the third phase of GRAP, the use of BS 3 petrol and BS 4 diesel vehicles is banned. Apart from this, builder projects, road construction and other construction projects are also completely banned. As soon as the rules of GRAP 3 are implemented, construction work is stopped at all places except the most essential places, which include airport, hospital, elevated road and STP plant projects. The third phase is implemented when the AQI is between 401 to 450. In this, roads are cleaned every day, water is sprinkled regularly. The dust and debris coming out of construction and demolition are disposed of properly. Let us tell you that there are a total of four phases in GRAP. The first phase is implemented when the AQI is between 201 to 300. After this, the second phase is implemented when the AQI is between 301 to 400, while the third phase is implemented when the AQI is between 401 to 450. At the same time, the fourth phase is implemented when the AQI is more than 450.
What was the average AQI of 24 hours?
On the other hand, the Meteorological Department has predicted partly cloudy weather on Friday. Haze and dense fog are expected in most areas in the morning. The 24-hour average air quality index of the national capital was 302, which falls in the 'very poor' category.
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