Delhi Air Pollution: These vehicles BANNED from plying in Delhi-NCR; Air quality panel takes severe action

Delhi Air Pollution: In wake of the Delhi's air quality indicator (AQI) worsening to just a notch below the "severe plus" stage, a central panel on Thursday directed authorities to ban the plying of four-wheeled diesel light motor vehicles (LMVs) in Delhi and adjoining NCR districts. The order stated that the ban will also apply to the entry of trucks into Delhi. These strict measures are a part of the anti-pollution measures stipulated under the final stage of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP).

As per the order issued by the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM), only BS- VI vehicles and those used for essential and exigency services are exempted from the vehicle ban in Delhi-NCR. 

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The order states: "Ban on plying of 4-wheeler diesel LMVs in NCT of Delhi and sections of NCR skirting Delhi, except BS- VI vehicles and vehicles used for essential/ exigency services." 

Delhi Air Pollution: Steps under GRAP 

- State government to take a call on closure of educational institutions, and non-emergency commercial activities.

- State government to decide on plying of vehicles on odd-even basis.

- Central and state governments to decide on allowing staff to work from home.

- Ban on Delhi-registered diesel-run medium and heavy goods vehicles in the capital. Only those carrying essential goods and furnishing essential services exempted.

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- The entry of trucks other than electric and CNG ones in Delhi also banned. Only those trucks carrying essential goods have been exempted.

- The CAQM also directed closure of all industries running on non-clean fuels in the region, "even in areas which do not have PNG infrastructure and supply". 

Delhi 'SEVERE' AQI Conditions

Delhi's 24-hour average AQI stood at 450 on Wednesday. An AQI reading of over 400 is considered "severe" and can affect healthy people and seriously impact those with being ails.

According to the Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago's (EPIC) Air Quality Life Index (AQLI) released in June, the residents of Delhi stand to lose 10 years of life expectation due to poor air quality.

With the pollution situations worsening, the CAQM had directed authorities on Saturday to put a ban on construction and demolition activities in Delhi-NCR, barring essential projects and other checks under the third stage of the GRAP.

First Enforced in 2017, the GRAP is a set ofanti-air pollution measures followed in the capital and its vicinity according to the severity of the situation.

It classifies the air quality in the Delhi-NCR under four different stages stage 1- "poor" (AQI 201-300), stage 2- "veritably poor" (AQI 301-400), stage 3- "severe"  (AQI 401- 450) and stage 4- "severe plus" (AQI above 450).

This year, curbs on polluting activities are being imposed three days in advance, based on forecasts. Earlier, the authorities would implement the measures only after the PM2.5 and PM10 concentration touched a particular threshold.

(With PTI inputs)