Non-essential construction work, entry of diesel trucks banned in Delhi as pollution chokes capital

The Centre's pollution control panel on Thursday issued directions to ban the entry of light commercial vehicles, diesel-guzzling trucks in Delhi under Stage III of the pollution control plan. The air quality in the city entered the 'severe' category. Delhi's Air Quality Index (AQI) stood at 402 at 5 pm.

In addition to this, the centre also issued directions to ban non-essential construction work in Delhi-NCR.

During a meeting to assess the air quality situation in Delhi-NCR, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM), a legally mandated organization tasked with devising plans to address pollution in the area, stated that pollution levels are anticipated to rise even more due to unfavorable meteorological and climatic conditions.


GRAP categorises actions into four stages: Stage I - 'Poor' (AQI 201-300); Stage II - 'Very Poor' (AQI 301-400); Stage III - 'Severe' (AQI 401-450); and Stage IV - 'Severe Plus' (AQI >450).

Stage III of GRAP involves a complete halt on construction and demolition work except for essential government projects, mining and stone crushing.

It also includes a ban on the entry of light commercial vehicles registered outside Delhi and diesel-guzzling trucks, and medium and heavy goods vehicles (except those involved in essential services).

(With PTI inputs)