Last update:November 17, 2024, 1:27 PM IST

Delhi’s Environment Minister, addressing a press conference, said that the AQI, which has consistently crossed dangerous levels, has led to the implementation of GRAP-3.

Representative image. (File photo)

Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai on Friday said 106 more cluster buses will ply in the city while metro trains will run 60 additional trips in view of the GRAP-3 measures imposed due to worsening air quality.

The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) imposed GRAP 3 measures as the national capital recorded the worst pollution levels in the country, with air quality remaining in the “severe” category for two consecutive days.

On Friday, the air quality in the city was in the severe category with an AQI of 411 at 9 am.

Delhi’s Environment Minister, addressing a press conference, said that the Air Quality Index (AQI), which has consistently crossed dangerous levels, has led to the implementation of GRAP-3.

“We are working to make GRAP-3 more effective in Delhi,” the minister said, adding that a meeting was held with officials from MCD, PWD, transport, DTC, metro and education departments to review and implement urgent measures.

As part of the action plan, the Delhi government has banned non-CNG interstate buses from entering the city.

Only electric and CNG buses will be allowed to enter. Besides, BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel four-wheelers have been banned, Rai said.

To ensure enforcement, the transport department has deployed 84 teams, with an additional 280 transport police personnel, to monitor violations. A fine of Rs. 20,000 will be imposed for any violation of the new rules.

The minister pointed out that to reduce vehicular pollution, 106 new cluster bus services have been introduced. Of these, 40 buses were specially launched for government employees living in different areas of the city to discourage the use of private vehicles.

The routes will include key areas like Nehru Place, Rohini, Dwarka, Janakpuri, Shahdara and others.

The GRAP for Delhi-NCR is divided into four air quality stages – Stage 1 for “poor” Air Quality Index (AQI) ranging from 201 to 300, Stage 2 for “very poor” AQI of 301-400, Stage 3 for “ AQI severe” of 401-450 and Stage 4 for AQI “severe plus” more than 450.

Phase III curbs include ban on non-essential construction and demolition and closure of stone crushers and mining activities in Delhi-National Capital Region (NCR).

Under the Stage IV GRAP restrictions, all interstate buses from NCR states – except electric vehicles, CNG vehicles and BS-VI diesel buses – will be banned from entering Delhi, along with a strict ban on construction and demolition activities, suspension of mining related activities, consideration of switching to online classes for students up to class V and daily sprinkling of water on main roads.

To further reduce traffic emissions, metro services will increase by 60 additional trips and road cleaning efforts will be boosted with 65 dust suppression machines installed by MCD.

Furthermore, 200 mobile anti-smog cannons will be used in three shifts to sprinkle water on the roads, with drivers assigned to each shift to ensure continuous operation.

Meanwhile, the Delhi government is taking steps to regulate construction activities, banning private construction and demolition work and restricting non-essential work. However, public and government services will continue as usual, Rai said.

Addressing the media, the minister urged residents to cycle short distances, rely on public transport, drive and work from home whenever possible to help reduce pollution levels.

If the air quality deteriorates further, the minister mentioned that emergency measures, including artificial rain, would be considered. “We will seek support from the Centre, if required,” he added.

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(This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed – PTI)